Community Renewable Energy

 

Community Renewable Energy We are heading into a new era of renewable energy generation which will affect all communities, including Muintir na Tíre Community Councils and Community Alert Groups.   We need to become active participants in renewable energy production and policy development on a national basis.   Government and EU  policy in this area will have a huge impact on the sustainability of our rural communities in particular.   By 2030, are we going to be owners, partners or bystanders in renewable energy developments? Are our local communities going to be rewarded in a substantial way or sold out to outside investors?      As major stakeholders in rural Ireland we need a strong voice to gain benefit from future commercial renewable energy projects, whatever form these projects take.   Under proposed new rules for energy generation there must be Community involvement.   Muintir na Tire needs your input to direct policy and shape our organisation into the future.   We would ask for your reaction on the questions outlined below and hope you can reply with your local knowledge on how your local Muintir organisation and community can develop into the future. We would appreciate you also sharing this email with anybody in your community who might be interested – we are looking for as wide a response as possible.   We would welcome your answers to these questions, feel free to give as much detail as you wish, and any contact information you wish: Do you feel your community group is aware of changes in Community Renewable Energy? Do you feel other groups or individuals in your area are aware? How large (population/area) approximately is the area your group represents? Where in the country is your area? Do you feel your community group is adequately financed? Would you be interested in further information and/or supports for Community Renewable Energy? What might this involve (eg community awareness meetings/one to one support/support for project initiation, structure and development)? Are there existing Renewable Energy producers in your area? If so, can you provide some further information, including whether they are commercial or community owned (or a mix) and whether they have made a meaningful financial contribution to the area? Any other information you think would be useful. Please feel free to share this newsletter. If you have been forwarded the mail and would like to be added to our mailing list, please visit our website and subscribe.