Green with envy: Kilkenny town picks up €100,000 energy prize

By COLIN BARTLEY

CALLAN has been named Kilkenny’s Energy town for 2019.

In a competition unique to Kilkenny, Callan picked up the prize worth €100,000 in supports which paves the way for creating a sustainable and energy efficient town.

Callan beat off submissions from Thomastown, Castlecomer and Graignamanagh to pick up the award.

Callan’s proposal included plans to install locally made limestone pillars with LED lights, a battery bank powered by solar photovoltaic panels at the Abbey Meadow Walkway and to roll out electric vehicle charging points across the town. The winning group also plans to oversee an energy efficient upgrade of the Old Bacon Factory to include renewable technologies.

The Energy Town awards saw Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) team up with the locally based 3 Counties Energy Agency (3 CEA) to promote the idea of sustainable energy efficiency around Kilkenny.

KLP CEO, Declan Rice, commended all the competing communities on their drive and passion and genuine commitment to become more sustainable.

“Voluntary and community groups, small and large businesses, community members with knowledge and interest in renewables and others with little or no technical expertise or knowledge but a genuine passion to go green, all came together and pooled their ideas for this competition.

“While Callan are the overall winners, both KLP and 3 CEA hope to continue to work with the runners up to help make their plans a reality. With a little more expert help and support, we aspire to making Kilkenny a shining example for the rest of Ireland.

“A competition like this has never run in Ireland,” Mr Rice continued. “We want other counties to follow suit to help Ireland significantly cut its carbon footprint.”