Kilkenny householders embracing climate-friendly schemes – and saving money: new figures

MORE Kilkenny householders and business owners are embracing energy saving schemes that are helping the environment – and saving them money in the process.

New figures released by local TD and Minister of State John Paul Phelan reveal that in Kilkenny last year:
*90 local home owners availed of home energy grants totalling €148,700;
*73 free upgrades were performed on energy poor homes at a cost of €355,177;
*Three deep retrofits were carried out;
*18 electric vehicles were registered, receiving grant aid of €80,000;
*10 home chargers were installed and they received €6,000 in supports;
*13 school workshops were upgraded;
*4 lighting grants were financed, totalling €15,976;
*3 dairy grants were funded, costing €10,000

Commenting on the works, Minister Phelan said: “Climate change is the existential challenge of our generation. We must protect our planet. Fine Gael’s guiding principle is that we intend to hand over guardianship and stewardship of our planet to future generations in a much better state than we inherited it.

“Many of our homes have very poor building energy ratings. Big savings in energy, in greenhouse gases and in comfort can be achieved by taking up these schemes.”

Minister Phelan commended Kilkenny County Council, the not-for-profit 3 Counties Energy Agency (3CEA) as well as Kilkenny LEADER Partnership and other bodies which are working together to reduce harmful emissions and help home owners, businesses and the wider Kilkenny public think and go green.

One of the biggest projects undertaken in Kilkenny saw the project partners Kilkenny County Council, SSE Airtricity, Lissann and 3CEA working together. It cost just over €1,014,000. Of this, almost €370,000 was grant aided.

A total of eight energy poor homes and 13 non-domestic buildings (seven community, one private and five public) are included. The non-domestic buildings include Mount Carmel Nursing Home, Kilkenny Library Service Castlecomer, Kilkenny Fire Service Callan, Kilkenny County Hall, Kilkenny Public Lighting Project Phase 2, Catering Foods & Packaging Ltd, Watershed, Droichead Childcare Callan, Windgap Community Hall, Ballyragget CYMS Hall, Thomastown Community Centre, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Cois Abhann Centre Inistioge.

Minister Phelan pointed out that a Home Charger Grant of €600 is available to Kilkenny householders, but this was only taken up by 10 people in the county last year.

“This is disappointing which is why we need to get the word out on these progressive initiatives,” he added.”There are over 250 community energy schemes in operation across Ireland. All of these schemes are administered by SEAI and funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

“I would encourage everyone to consider availing of a scheme most suitable to your needs, more on how to avail of these grants can be found on https://www.seai.ie/.”