Funding Available To Community Groups For Energy Projects

Almost €6.5 million worth of energy upgrade work is coming to completion in Tipperary under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s 2017 Better Energy Communities scheme. Tipperary Energy Agency is now calling on local community groups, sports facilities, private businesses and public sector organisations with potential energy efficiency upgrade projects for 2018 to get in touch, with a view to applying for funding for the 2018 scheme.  Some €30 million of funding was available under SEAI’s 2017 Better Energy Communities scheme.   Up to 50% funding is available to community groups and 30% available to businesses.

St Oliver Plunkett National School in Clonmel underwent a major energy saving makeover in 2016. With the assistance of Tipperary Energy Agency, the school availed of €125,000 of funding under the Better Energy Communities Scheme.  The works included new windows, doors, lighting, heating upgrade and insulation.  The principal of the school Paul Murphy said ‘The project is a major success.  It’s early October and we’ve only had the heating on for half an hour in the mornings. It’s extremely comfortable. This is impressive given that the building has been empty for two months over the summer.’ The children have definitely noticed a difference, he says, and the staff, ‘they love it’.

Tipperary Energy Agency also successfully applied for a 50% grant on behalf of Moyne Athletic Club.  PRO, Eibhlis Purcell said ‘Tipperary Energy Agency project managed it for us. Our side of it was that we just had to fill out the forms and come up with the money.  The lights inside are way stronger and much safer. We have the local football team using the sports hall and before we’d be afraid they’d be blowing them on us.’

Paul Kenny, CEO Tipperary Energy Agency said “Business and community groups are often concerned with energy costs.  The Better Energy Communities scheme seeks to support community groups and businesses to complete an investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy. I’m delighted Tipperary Energy Agency is in a position to help local organisations drastically reduce their energy use, environmental impact and costs over the last five years while supporting the local economy and jobs”.

Tipperary Energy Agency is running two evening information events in Cahir and Nenagh on October 23/24. If you wish to attend, please contactheather@tippenergy.ie or visit tippenergy.ie