Fuinneamh, the Aran Islands Renewable energy co-op established in association with ECI, moves on with its second Better Energy Communities award amounting to in excess of €400,000 of spending on renewable and energy conservation measures.
ECI’s Cormac Walsh was on Inis Mór this week with Duncan Stewart of the successful TV series Eco-Eye to witness the putting into practice of a locally led renewable energy initiative. Fuinneamh successfully applied to the SEAI for more than €400,00 of spending on energy conservation measu
res (insulation and improved energy efficiency) and also renewable energy generation installations such as PV and a 5kw Vanadium Redox battery provided by Irish tech leader RedT.
The work which is spread across the Aran Islands, Co Galway, is a key example of how locally leadership can leverage state assistance through availing of the benefits of community spirit and innovation.
ECI is delighted to be associated with the success story that is Fuinneamh, and is actively working with other communities in Ireland to replicate this success throughout the country.
According to Cormac Walsh, ‘the great thing about the Aran story is that it is replicable in other communities – with the right local leadership any Irish community urban or rural can take significant ownership of the direction of renewable energy roll-out. We also believe that it is vital to the growth of renewable energy projects of whatever scale that they contain a significant element of active local participation.’