Denis Naughten T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, visited Ganly’s Hardware in Athlone on Friday 25th November to mark the completion of an SEAI Better Energy Communities project undertaken in Roscommon by Midlands Warmer Homes and NCE Insulation. The project which saw energy upgrades carried out in 33 homes, a sports facility, a community organisation and two businesses, including Ganlys, received over €360,000 in funding from SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland).
The works were carried out over a four month period employing 20 local contractors. Upgrades included roof and wall insulation, external wall insulation, boiler upgrades, room heater stoves, and window replacement in the homes, many of which were fuel poor. The community buildings and businesses had similar works carried out, with Ganlys Hardware and Roscommon Mart also having significant lighting upgrades installed.
Commenting at the event which was attended by representatives from SEAI, as well as Bord Gáis Energy who also provided financial support, Minister Naughten said: “Translating global or national commitments and actions into schemes that benefit local communities is a critical priority for me. When I announced my Department’s 2017 Budget allocation last month, I mentioned that there will be €100 million available for energy efficiency in 2017. This increased funding will allow my Department and SEAI to expand our existing successful energy efficiency schemes, like the Better Energy Communities scheme, that has funded this project here in Ganlys. The increased budget will also allow us to create new energy efficiency schemes to better support individuals, communities, and businesses that want to tackle their energy use.”
The Roscommon Better Energy Communities project is one of 38 similar projects being supported by SEAI across the country this year. Speaking at the event, John Randles, Head of Delivery, SEAI said “Communities all over Ireland are now motivated and working on significant energy saving projects with the help of SEAI’s Better Energy Communities programme and other networking supports. As a result, we are seeing homeowners in warmer and cosier homes, voluntary groups in more comfortable community buildings, and businesses with more energy efficient buildings that are cheaper to run. Across the spectrum, people on the ground are benefitting. Equally, here in Roscommon the energy savings are substantial, and I’d encourage other communities in the county to consider how they too might get involved in future energy upgrade projects.“
The project was led by Midlands Warmer Homes and NCE Insulation, with John O’Leary from NCE saying “NCE Insulation have been working with the CBO network delivering BEC schemes and, in particular, Midland Warmer Homes since 2012. Over the past 4 years we have worked in partnership with Midland Warmer Homes to deliver energy saving measures to over 300 fuel poor homes as well as local businesses and community associations in the greater Roscommon area. In 2016, the innovative finance model administered by Midlands Warmer Homes has made energy upgrades more accessible for local businesses with the provision of capital finance, which is repaid from energy savings achieved from the energy upgrade. NCE Insulation as lead applicant congratulate Midlands Warmer Homes on the successful delivery of their Better Energy Communities project 2016, and look forward to working in partnership with them in 2017.”
The full list of all 2016 Better Energy Communities projects to receive funding can be found HERE
Notes to Editor
About SEAI
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a mission to play a leading role in the transformation of Ireland to a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. SEAI is partly financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
About Better Energy Communities
Better Energy Communities programme supports energy upgrades to existing building and facilities in the community sector. It targets homes/areas in a certain distinct geographic areas at risk of energy poverty and is eligible to:
· Participating Energy Suppliers (or their designated delivery partner) acting in partial fulfilment of its energy saving target;
· The Public sector, including local authorities
· Community-based organisations (CBOs) that have an established service for delivering the required measures; or other community type organisations.
· Private sector
· Voluntary organisations
About NCE Insulation
NCE Insulation have been working in partnership with SEAI since 2003 delivering energy efficient measures to domestic, community and commercial buildings under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, Better Energy Homes Scheme and Better Energy Communities programme. As a community-based organisation, NCE Insulation have been lead applicant to 20 Better Energy Communities projects over the past 4 years, offering 26-county coverage, and administrating a total fund in excess of €20m for energy upgrades.
About Midlands Warmer Homes
Midland Warmer Homes with the support of SEAI have been delivering Better Energy Community Schemes since 2012. Over the years deep retrofits have been carried out on approximately 185 homes; community and commercial buildings have also benefited from energy efficiency upgrades. These projects are creating employment locally, benefiting homeowners, businesses and the environment.