Michael Colreavy
Question:115. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a proposed legislative framework to provide for developing renewable energy co-operatives. [31752/15]
View answerTuesday, 22 September 2015
Questions (115)
Written answers
Various community level energy initiatives are supported by the Government through the Better Energy Areas and Communities Programme which is administered on behalf of the Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). That programme allows community and locally based organisations to apply for funding on a competitive basis to support sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. It also promotes the creation and development of locally based entities that can engage and mobilise community resources to lower energy bills and boost local employment.
One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars, held in Dublin, Westmeath, Sligo, Cork and Wexford, on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted are being considered in the formation of the Energy White Paper, which will be published before the end of the year.
While I do not intend to introduce any legislative proposals that would be specific to the development of renewable energy cooperatives, it is my intention that the forthcoming White Paper would address community energy projects and how best to facilitate communities in playing their part in the transition to a low carbon future.