News & Events

 November 2018

KSEC has now submitted to SEAI its  Energy Master Plan (EMP). This is part of becoming a”Sustainable Energy Community”(SEC). Once this is accepted the Co-op will then hold information events about the EMP and the stages included in the plan.

KSEC Board have just recently completed three review and planning sessions, facilitated by John Loughrey. The purpose of this exercise was to prioritise the work of the Board for the next couple of years.

 

Friends of the Irish environment are bringing a legal case against the Government about care of the environment. They have an online petition that you may wish to support. see https://www.climatecaseireland.ie/

 

Events during autumn ’17

Information evenings were held in different Kerry locations on different aspects of renewable energy: e.g. solar PV, retrofitting, heating and insulation, district heating etc. e.g:                                                                                                                             September in Tralee.    October in  Killorglin. November in Dingle. 

KSEC always welcomes local communities taking the initiative in organising such events and inviting the co-op to input.

KSEC recently secured funding from Kerry County Council Community Support Fund towards the purchase of a branded tent for the promotion of the work of the co-op and for use at local festivals and gatherings.

New and ongoing activities

BETTER ENERGY COMMUNITIES (BEC)

In January ’17 KSEC working with SE Systems submitted a proposal for a deep retrofitting community project through the Better Energy Community (BEC) scheme. Our submission was successful. The project is now completed (oct 17). Please see the link below for a summary of the work done.

We plan to submit to this scheme again in 2018 so come along to the information evenings in Killorglin and Dingle (see above for dates) for more information.

Expression of Interest form for 2018 (see below.)

NEW SEAI LIGHTING PILOT PROJECT

Launched in July ’17 for SME’s with 50 or fewer employees. Suitable for SME’s in the following sectors:         Fitness Centres          General and Food Retailers

   Jewellers                      Small hotels and larger B&B’s

   Pharmacies                 Nursing Homes

Grant funding will be 40% of eligable costs. A number of SME’s in Kerry are working with KSEC on this project. We are delighted that our submission has been successful and SEAI have offered a grant of 40% of the cost of the work. Please contact KSEC if you are thinking about a lighting upgrade for your business and would like more information.                           The website is: https://www.seai.ie/Grants/SME-Supports-for-Lighting-Upgrades/SME-Supports-for-Lighting-Upgrades.html

Other News and Previous Events

Citizens Assembly on Tackling Climate Change

Jul 25, 2017 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

On the weekend of 30th September,2017 the Citizens Assembly will deliberate on the topic of ‘How the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change.’

This is an opportunity to express our concerns and have our voices heard. KSEC is encouraging people to make submissions – follow the links below.

What is the deadline? Submissions must be made by August 11th. Postal submissions are also accepted (16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, D01 X9Y2)

https://www.stopclimatechaos.ie/news/2017/07/22/the-citizens-assembly-wants-to-hear-from-you-on-climate-action/

https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/Submissions/How-the-State-can-make-Ireland-a-leader-in-tackling-climate-change/Make-a-submission/

Information evenings in 2017

Jun 2, 2017 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

During 2016 KSEC held a couple of information evenings on Solar PV  in Tralee and Killorglin. These events were popular and helpful for those who attended. The co-op has plans to run one or two more such events in late 2017 so keep an eye on the website for up to date information.

Householder attitudes and behaviours on environment issues

Apr 2, 2016 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

The CSO publication on householder attitudes and behaviours on environment issues was published on 23 March. Visually easy to follow and digest, it includes information on: main fuels used in households in regions; Use of additional heating sources; Awareness of environmental schemes and initiatives; Installation of energy saving products in owner occupied and other non rented households; Main determinant when buying a car; Influence of Energy Efficiency rating or label; Household’s main method for disposing of non-recyclable household waste; Household’s main method for disposing of recyclable household waste; popular measures to reduce waste; and other headings/graphics.

Has your household installed any of the following energy saving products in the last 10 years

  • Insulation 53%
  • Thermal solar panels 4%
  • Photo-voltaic solar panels 0%
  • Heating controls 19%
  • Efficient glazing 32%
  • Draught proofing 22%
  • Replaced an open fire with a stove 25%
  • Energy efficient lighting 65%
  • High efficiency boiler 19%
Read more on CSO website