Tag Archives: SEAI

In preparation for the colder months, now is an ideal time to invest in insulation upgrades and replace fossil fuel heating systems. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), by investing in home energy upgrades, homeowners are creating a more comfortable and healthier home. More and more homeowners are aware of the benefits of home energy upgrades, with attic and wall insulation being a great starting point. These are long-term investments which will significantly improve home comfort and health, as well as reducing energy consumption and lowering energy bills. For homeowners using fossil fuel heating systems such as oil or gas, they should consider the clean switch to a heat pump system. Heat pumps are highly efficient alternatives to fossil fuel heating systems, creating a warmer and healthier home by maintaining a constant, comfortable temperature throughout the year. Even better, as you are no longer using fossil fuels, you are reducing your carbon footprint and creating a much …

A REDUCTION of 50% in energy use in homes and non-residential properties is a target that the community of Clooney/Spancillhill has set itself over the next seven years.  Also outlined in the recently-launched Energy Masterplan for the area are opportunities for a community-owned solar farm, a coppice to produce biomass, smart meters, solar panels, a sustainable bus service and more charging points for electric vehicles. The visionary document has been produced by Clooney/Spancilhill Development Association through funding and mentoring support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Mentor Gearóid Fitzgibbon was among those to attend the launch of the Masterplan in Clooney last Wednesday night (March 25), as well as officials from Clare County Council and the Killaloe Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Councillor Joe Cooney.  Clooney National School will also play a key role. As part of the process of drawing up the plan, it was chosen for an energy audit from the non-residential sector. From the energy saving measures …

AN ENERGY Master plan for Clooney/Spancilhill Community Development will be launched this Wednesday, May 25.  In association with Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) and Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA), the event is an opportunity for community members to hear details of the plan and find out about how homes can be upgraded to be warmer and more energy efficient.  The plan will be launched by Senior Executive Officer for the Killaloe Municipal District, Morgan Lahiffe and Cathaoirleach, Councillor Joe Cooney, at the information evening, which will run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Clooney National School. The evening will provide details of a range of home energy grants and how to apply. There will also be a Q&A session with experts from TEA and information on the renewable energy options available to the local community. Specific information will be available to home and business owners, farmers and transport providers.  This Clooney/Spancilhill Community Energy Master Plan has been developed to enable the community …

A CLARE hotel has received national recognition for a renewable energy project which sees it produce its own green energy. The Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon were among the winners in the SEAI Energy Awards. The hotel took home the trophy in the most ‘Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy’ category for their hydroelectric turbine project that provides clean, renewable hydro energy to the hotel. Michael McCarthy, General Manager, Falls Hotel, said, “We are delighted to receive this recognition, especially given the huge investment we have made with our hydroelectric turbine. “We are extremely proud of this award. With 145 bedrooms, a leisure centre and a spa complex, we went from having a large carbon footprint to being carbon neutral in five years. We love knowing that we are powering the hotel with a clean, sustainable energy source.” Being based in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark hotel owners the McCarthy family were conscious of trying to …

AN AMBITIOUS project to boost the production and use of renewable energy is being pioneered by the Clooney Spancilhill Community Development Association. The group is one of three in Clare to enter a partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with a view to creating an energy masterplan for the area. The blueprint will also offer potential to generate revenue for the area and will draw inspiration from a highly successful community of Templederry, outside Nenagh, who are now raising €1.1m annual for their locality. “We set up a steering group on the environment,” outlined Tom Larkin, Chairperson of the association. “That lead us to applying to the SEAI for funding. We succeeded in securing €10,000 and that involves us signing a three-year agreement with SEAI. We have mentoring from SEAI and Clare Local Development Company (CLDC).” After a tender process, the Tipperary Energy Agency was chosen and a contract signed before Christmas for the creation of a …

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has announced a €30 million programme in grant supports for community energy projects next year. This represents a 50% increase in funding from the 2016 grant levels. SEAI’s Better Energy Communities programme supports new approaches to achieving high quality improvements in energy efficiency. The programme focusses on improving the energy efficiency of Ireland’s building stock and supporting the use of renewable energy. It helps communities complete energy improvements in a more efficient and cost effective way by clustering buildings under one umbrella project. Over the past five years SEAI has provided €85 million support to 300 community energy efficiency projects. As a result, €170 million has been invested in energy efficiency upgrades of over 15,000 homes and hundreds of community, private and public buildings, supporting several hundred jobs each year.