Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) have been cited as the key to rising fossil fuel prices in response to one Clare County Councillor looking to address fuel poverty.
At a recent online convening of the Rural Development SPC committee, a special presentation was delivered by SEAI Mentor Gearoid Fitzgibbon on the benefit of SECs and the cost savings associated with adding to the 22 already established SECs spread throughout the county.
Cllr. Pat Burke (FG) questioned the impact on the ordinary citizen in the transition to renewable energy, alluding to an increase of 80 cent on a Bord na Móna bale of briquettes which came into effect last month.
Gearoid, who has been working with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the last 15 years, reiterated that SECs can be used as a tool for local development.
“Ordinary citizens should not be worried about these prices as they would have switched out altogether and be using a heat pump, using less of the fuels than a stove or open fire. The local householders are direct beneficiaries as they would have had insulation measures carried out in their homes. The benefits can be very simple in comfort, saving money or in employment, without ever even thinking about the bigger, more national questions”.
