Potential offered by solar energy projects raised at recent Kildare County Council meeting
One councillor told those in attendance: ‘This is not just about energy, it is about empowering communities’
Kildare County Council has been requested to investigate the potential for Solar Meitheal projects in the Athy Municipal District (MD).
The request was made by Labour Party councillor Mark Leigh via a motion that he submitted at the latest Athy MD meeting, which took place on Monday, June 16 last.
His motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Veralouise Behan.
Speaking further about his motion, Cllr Leigh told those in attendance: "This is not just about energy, it is about empowering communities."
RESPONSE
Replying to Cllr Dooley's motion, Kildare County Council said via its report at the meeting: "The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's Sustainable Energy Community Programme, is a programme that engages community involvement allowing a shared learning and implementation of energy solutions locally.
"The County Mentors are Emer Conway and Jim Kenehan; they are in the best position to advise on a group scheme and how it could be conducted through a Sustainable Energy Community Programme.
"If the project is community based, it could potentially be considered under the second round of the Community Climate Action Fund Programme (CCAF), depending on the criteria set."
Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh. Photo credit: kildarecoco.ie