Empowering Energy Citizens Through

Communities

Paul Kenny, B.E. C. Eng.Chief ExecutiveTipperary Energy Agency

Energy Green/ White Paper 4th of November 2014

• Tipperary Energy Communities retrofit ~ 70% homes signed up.

• Aran Islands similar at 60+%

• Why do citizens get involved:• For the good of themselves (savings/ comfort)• For the good of their community (jobs / costs)• Because it is a community activity.

• Once engaged, always engaged.

Community Energy Engages

Community Energy Delivers Value

85,702

90,036

148,559

Value to Local Economy / MW / Annum

Non Local SpendLocal SpendOwnership Revenue

Ownership Bene-fit Accruing to Local Economy

* Based on real figures for one project. NPV assuming 20 year life time

Danish vision of community energy- Engages people and their savings- Empowers decisions- Owns infrastructure – DH, Wind, Solar

District Heating must be consumer owned – i.e. community

Planned Tralee District Heating- 100M revenue over 20 years- All locally sourced energy.- Equivalent of 135 sustainable jobs.- 13,000 T CO2 (per annum)

Community Energy Delivers Scale

We need a long term plan.- Energiewiende/ Danish 2050.- Widely consulted so politicians and citizens buy into it.

We need carrots and sticks - Carbon tax, E.T.S- Ring fenced or returned

We need supports:- Supports for community engagement and project development

(Community energy office, Scotland)- Directed and subsidised finance (KFW energy construction/

renovation.- Community access to grid, Co-development with developers

Policy Requirements

• Non profit, public good enterprise• Partnership approach• Energy management• Renewable energy and energy

efficiency• Procurement, project mgmt.• Cost effective, value driven

• Paul Kenny• Chief Executive• T: 052 7443090• F: 052 7443012• E: pkenny@tea.ie • W: www.tea.ie

Tipperary Energy Agency