West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Sustainable Energy Region

West Limerick Resources would like to speak to communities interested in taking part in the West Limerick Sustainable Energy Region Initiative.  This newly launched initiative which is being run in co-operation with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, (SEAI) and aims to promote sustainable energy practices in all aspects of life in the community. 

According to Tim Coffey, Renewable Energy Officer with West Limerick Resources, "A Sustainable Energy Region is one that can meet its energy needs today - heating buildings, fuelling transport and using electricity - through the generation of energy from indigenous sources without hurting the regions ability to meet its future energy needs."  He went on to explain, "Reducing our energy dependence on imported fuels by using indigenous resources will retain money in the local economy. This will lead to increased regional prosperity and make West Limerick a more attractive proposition to invest in." 

Communities taking part in the initiative may benefit from training courses such as energy management and energy mapping, expert advice on energy use, a community energy use audit, a town energy master plan, identification of potential renewable energy projects and the development of community owned and private sector renewable energy projects. Communities will be expected to set up a group responsible for overseeing the project which will be in charge of obtaining local community and business commitment, co-ordinating the local energy audit and leading the development of energy projects. Once the town energy master plan has been complete, it will give recommendations for energy savings and for renewable energy projects, the development of which will be supported by West Limerick Resources and SEAI. Target Groups include: Community Groups, Householders, Businesses, Farmers and anyone interested in energy.

Groups interested in participating should contact Tim Coffey at tcoffey@wlr.ie or tel: 069 66296. The programme is supported by LEADER, under the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013.

Posted on 13/10/2011 by Suzanne Rowley, Information Officer