Energy roadshow hears plans for a more sustainable future for Tipperary

Locals attended the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow in Cashel recently, where communities across the county heard about the future of the electricity grid.

Led by EirGrid, the operator and developer of the national electricity grid, this free event brought together experts from SEAI (Ireland’s national sustainable energy authority), ESB Networks and Tipperary County Council to provide information about home energy efficiency upgrades, retrofitting grants, community micro-generation schemes and initiatives to ensure a more sustainable future for Tipperary.

L-R Catherine Fogarty, MC, Matthew Staunton, EirGrid, Clare Lee, Tipperary County Council, Gearoid Fitzgibbon, SEAI, Sinead Dooley, EirGrid, Sean Kelly, ESB Networks, and Declan Burgess. Cathaoirleach, Tipperary County Council at the EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow in Tipperary.

Kicking off the evening, Matthew Staunton, Onshore and Offshore Project Manager at EirGrid, outlined EirGrid’s plans to ensure the transition to a climate resilient and environmentally sustainable Ireland, and the growing need for renewable energy on the electricity grid, as it will need to carry triple the amount of renewable energy on the grid in the coming years.

Clare Lee, Climate Action Coordinator with Tipperary County Council, highlighted the local authority’s efforts to embark on initiatives to help climate action efforts, including deep retrofitting of local buildings and the delivery of community engagement activities, while Sean Kelly from ESB Networks discussed micro and mini generation, such as solar panels on roofs of homes and taking control of energy use outside peak hours.

Providing an insightful discussion on the benefits of home energy upgrades and the energy transition, Gearoid Fitzgibbon, of SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities provided information about grants that  are available to citizens, and the 34 sustainable energy communities across Tipperary, who are working together to create sustainable energy systems.

Presentations were followed by a robust questions and answers session from attendees, facilitated by local radio broadcaster, Catherine Fogarty, covering a range of topics such as local infrastructure, regional community grants, and microgeneration.

Speaking following the event, Head of Public Engagement with EirGrid, Sinead Dooley, said: “At EirGrid, we want to engage with people, listen to them and get their feedback, while providing an opportunity to access up to date and relevant information regarding energy and the future of the electricity grid. As we work to ensure eighty percent of Ireland’s electricity comes from renewables sources, as per Government targets, we recognise the importance of bringing communities with us on the journey as we transition to a clean, renewable energy grid.

“EirGrid is playing a central role in Ireland’s efforts to reduce emissions and achieve our climate goals and the attendance and the level of engagement from communities showed the appetite for information surrounding renewable energy. We thank all those who attended, including all the local exhibitors and in particular we would like to thank the hard-working committee in Halla Na Feile for hosting the event.”

EirGrid

EirGrid is responsible for a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity: now, and in the future and manages the grid so that everyone has power when and where they need it.

To do this, EirGrid forecasts when and where electricity is needed across Ireland: hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and year-to-year. It works to ensure there is enough electricity for industry to prosper, and for employment to grow.

The grid takes electricity from where it is generated and delivers it to the distribution network, operated by ESB, which powers every home, business, school, hospital, factory, and farm on the island.

Read 10 fast facts about EirGrid and the work we do: Did you know? (eirgrid.ie)