Electricity doesn’t just generate energy. It can also deliver funding to help power thriving communities.
The Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) aims to support sustainable community energy projects.
The idea is that such projects, which can play a role in helping Ireland reach its target of at least 70 per cent renewable electricity by 2030, should both deliver energy and help meet national policy goals too.
These include not just climate action but rural regeneration, social cohesion and community development.
Consequently, under the RESS every electricity generator in the country has to provide €2 per megawatt hour of electricity produced from their project to a local community benefit fund.
The funds raised are used for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of the local community. What’s more, locals decide what worthy causes need support.
It is estimated that the community benefit funds under the current wave of RESS projects will deliver approximately €4.5 million a year to local sustainable community initiatives.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) role is to develop the enabling framework for communities, to help them develop their own RESS projects. It has a tool kit available to communities online, and a panel of trusted advisors who can help them.
“We also launched the National Community Benefit Fund Register so that all relevant projects can register their funds and provide some information about how the fund will operate. It is expected that these funds will operate for at least 15 years as long as the projects are producing electricity,” says an SEAI spokesperson. While projects are still in development it is expected that about 60 will be registered over the coming year.
Waste to Energy
But communities are already benefiting from similar funds. The Dublin Waste to Energy (DWTE) facility in Poolbeg, operated by Covanta, converts 600,000 tonnes of residual household and commercial waste into enough energy to power over 105,000 homes annually.
The waste is delivered to the facility after recycling and so helps Ireland to meet its landfill diversion targets and reduces the amount of waste exported. The facility also assists Ireland in meeting its renewable energy targets as the energy generated is partly renewable.
As part of its original planning conditions, management at the plant established a community gain fund for its catchment area of Irishtown, Ringsend and Sandymount, providing financial assistance to a mix of community-based clubs.
Since 2014, more than €11.5 million has been given by Dublin Waste to Energy to the fund.
“In recent years in the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount areas there have been many new community projects initiated, a lot of refurbishments of community, schools and sports centres, and many other initiatives and activities taking place,” says Kieran Mullins, Dublin Waste to Energy project manager.
“In addition to the tremendous commitment, energy and drive of the volunteers of these projects, a major part of their development has been facilitated by contributions from the DWTE community gain fund.”
Each year local groups are invited to send proposals to a special assessment committee which comprises community representatives, elected representatives and Dublin City Council officials, plus one nominee from DWTE.
“To date the fund has made over 120 contributions to educational, environmental, sporting, religious and art projects, which have been extremely beneficial to the communities in the area,” says Mullins.
Projects
Successful projects include the purchase, for €180,000, of a "Liffey Sweeper" by the Irish Nautical Trust. It's a new environmental vessel that has been designed to collect large amounts of non-natural debris such as plastic, cans and bottles from Dublin city's waterways.
Other projects that received contributions from the fund include €1.6 million for the development of Irishtown stadium, and a similar amount for Ringsend and Irishtown community centre.
Stella Maris Rowing Club was awarded €480,000 for redevelopment works while St Matthew’s National School was awarded €115,000 to extend and refurbish its sports hall.
Ringsend and District Response to Drugs got €130,000 for renovation works and the purchase of a van while Dublin Vikings Dragon Boat Club secured €6,500 for purchase of equipment. With new projects being awarded all the time, it’s safe to say the plug won’t be pulled any time soon.
“DWTE recognises the importance of being a part of the wider community and are happy to contribute to the fund that, we believe, has a positive impact locally,” says Mullins.
