The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Limerick and the Limerick Clare Energy Agency have joined forces to host a Community Led Energy Generation and Supply Conference.
Community energy is a broad term that describes citizen and local ownership and participation in renewable energy generation, distribution and efficiency. It is about embracing the advantages that our natural resources provide for generating energy, and allowing the benefits (economic, social and environmental) to flow to all those in our communities.
Pat Stephens Manager at Limerick Clare Energy Agency believes that embracing community energy would see more control in the hands of those that use it. “Community energy is one of the key ways communities can start to take back control of their local economy, and their energy supply. Around the world, the idea that communities install, own, and enjoy some of the benefits of renewable energy is growing fast.”
Stephens continued “The government’s White Paper outlines a transition over the next 15 years to a low carbon energy future. The growth of community led energy generation could see the present system which is almost exclusively Government and utility led to one where citizens and communities will increasingly be participants in renewable energy generation, distribution and energy efficiency”.
Anthony Coleman, Assistant. Head of Enterprise with LEO Limerick explained what the conference will be about. “The focus of this conference will be to highlight national and international examples of community energy generation and supply projects and how local groups can develop similar energy initiatives and sustain local enterprises in the mid west region.”
“We have experts from across the country and abroad speaking at the conference who will outline their experiences. We are delighted that Dirk Vansintjan who is President of the European Federation for Renewable Energy Cooperatives will address the conference. He is a world leading expert in community led energy projects and we’ll all be able to benefit from his expertise and insight into the renewable energy sector, which can lead to job creation and business start-ups in communities across the mid west,” Coleman added.
The conference takes place in The Strand Hotel, Limerick on Tuesday 30 August 2016. Admission is free but booking is essential on http://www.localenterprise.ie/Limerick