€28 million in government funding has been announced for 39 community energy projects.

Minister for Climate Eamon Ryan announced the funding, which will lead to almost “1,500 homes and community and commercial buildings” that are “warmer, healthier and waste less energy”.

This funding will go to 39 community projects under the Community Energy Grant Scheme.

The grants, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), will support projects with a total investment value of almost €74 million.

These projects will implement upgrades that will include: roof and wall insulation; replacement windows and doors; lighting upgrades; energy monitors; heating controls; and solid fuel room heaters.

According to Minister Ryan, the projects will also deliver “significant employment benefits locally and nationally”.

The grant offers include €4.3 million specifically for projects delivering aggregated home retrofit upgrades. There are 14 such projects comprising 348 homes.

The Green Party leader added that he intends to use funding from the July Stimulus Package to “grow the retrofit sector and benefit many more people in the months ahead”.

William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, added that the achievements of these communities receiving funding “can be replicated; drawing more citizens into Ireland’s clean energy transition”.

Key data of government-funded SEAI community energy grant awards 2020:
  • 39 projects supported under the government’s SEAI administered community energy grant scheme 2020;
  • €27.98 million total government grant funding, towards €73.8 million total project costs, will achieve energy upgrades in the 1,103 homes and 352 non-domestic buildings supported;
  • Cumulatively, the programme has now supported upgrades in 19,300 homes and 2,922 non-domestic buildings;
  • 26,430t CO2 emission reductions annually;
  • 98GWh total energy credits saved (obligated energy suppliers).

Catherine Martin reelected as deputy leader of Green Party

Meanwhile, in other news related to the Green Party, Catherine Martin has been reelected as deputy leader of the Green Party.

The returning officers for the Green Party’s deputy leadership election announced yesterday (Monday, September 22) that she will continue to serve as deputy leader of the party. Martin was the only valid candidate.

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