Sustainable Energy Communities NI Briefing Paper

Sustainable Energy Communities NI - Working together to develop a sustainable energy future

Partnership Members

(NB this includes 4 geographically dispersed communities in NI)

Advice NI - lead partner

A membership organisation supporting 65 members across NI and delivering advice on a range of issues including benefits, debt, housing, employment and consumer related issues.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU)

Based in the North West and West of Ireland, is a significant partner in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland funded Sustainable Energy Communities scheme, mentoring and providing technical advice to almost 250 SECs in Ireland.

Co-operative Alternatives

A development body providing expert advice and support   to existing and emerging co-operatives and community benefit societies on issues ranging from legal structure to business and financial planning.

Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative

Founded in 2012, this early Northern Ireland based Co-op has over 900 members who own and operate six 250KW wind turbines and provides significant stakeholder and Community Benefit mainly in educational projects.

Northern Ireland Community Energy (NICE)

A Community Benefit Society based in Northern Ireland promoting community owned, renewable energy initiatives and energy efficiency services with a focus on Community Benefit.

Ballymacash Sports Academy

In an urban area of Lisburn with a mixture of low and middle incomes, this organisation has embraced energy planning but needs implementation funding and support to expand its reach.

Dolmens Climate Action Network

In a mix of villages and rural hinterland in the south-east of County Down, and a mixed economy with low and middle incomes, this group is in the early stages of exploring local energy matters.

Lisnaskea Community Enterprises

In a rural area in County Fermanagh in the west of Northern Ireland, with high levels of fuel poverty and isolation, this group has a focus on local improvements and is keen to embrace energy matters.

Mount Vernon Community Development Forum

In an urban area in North Belfast with high levels of deprivation and fuel poverty, this group has enthusiasm to address the Neighbourhood Led Regeneration    local energy situation but has not focused on this yet. 

Background

This project derived from deep frustration and concern about the lack of urgent planning and action by Government to address:

• the impact of the high energy bills crisis across Northern Ireland
• the spiralling cost of living predicament especially re fuel poverty
• the climate emergency and its impending consequences

From the outset, it was recognised that any meaningful project would have to involve people in their own communities, examining local energy issues and getting involved in solving any problems in ways that could be implemented with suitable help.

The aim of the project was to draw on the experience of ATU in the implementation of the Sustainable Energy Community model supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and to explore the methodology in the Northern Ireland context.

Essential Ethos

The focus of the project is the empowerment of communities to take control of their energy and low carbon futures by supporting them to adopt a sustainable energy community model. Such reaching out to people is recognised as critical in creating awareness and driving change in attitudes and actions. Inclusivity will be vital.

All aspects of the community will be engaged: general public, community and voluntary sector, public sector and private sector. This collaborative approach will facilitate awareness raising, information and knowledge sharing, provide access to resources and support and will enable long term mutual and wider benefits.

Outputs

Each of the 4 community partners in the project will have an Energy Master Plan (EMP) for their locality, developed on the ATU/ SEAI model.

Ballymacash will have progressed some energy installations already in planning.

Where possible, assistance will be given to identify and apply for funding to implement some aspect(s) of the individual EMPs.

Learning from the Project will be shared and used to promote expansion of an effective Sustainable Energy Community model in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Structure

• Steering Group made up of reps of the 10 partner organisations will oversee and manage the project with Advice NI as the lead partner employing 3 staff members.
• Full Time Staff of Project Programme manager and 2 Programme co-ordinators.
• Advisory Group made up of a wide range of representatives of relevant Government Departments, Higher Education and Organisations involved in Energy and Housing.

Methods

A four phase process is planned in each of the four geographical areas.

• Learn: Identification and engagement of all community “players” will be followed by intensive information logging re assets and needs, relevant education sessions, visits, sharing, workshops, advice sessions and more actions identified as progress is made.
• Plan: Following identification of the whole community’s goals and ambitions and with additional technical assessment, expertise and support, an Energy Master Plan (EMP) will be drawn up for each community with costed recommendations.
• Do: Each community will develop a “roadmap” to progress implementation of its EMP and proceed to explore funding possibilities and, if appropriate, apply for such support.
• Share: learning and fund examplers to inspire and further do.