Naughten sees community renewable energy projects come to fruition

In Business & Jobs, Energy, Infrastructure, News by Denis Naughten

€4.5m renewable boost to local communities as a direct result of my intervention – Naughten

 

Denis Naughten TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Rural Affairs, has welcomed the approval today (Friday) of seven community-owned renewable energy projects that are to be supported under the new renewable energy auction programme.

“When I designed this auction project I specifically ringfenced part of the funding allocation for community-owned renewable energy projects and I am now delighted to see the first fruits of my efforts with seven community-owned projects in Kilkenny, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Clare and Cork approved to produce electricity for 10,700 homes,” stated Denis Naughten.

“In designing this auction scheme, I was determined that electricity customers’ support of renewable energy would not be to benefit big foreign investors with little interest in local communities. Today’s announcement will bring with it an annual boost of €4.5m to the communities concerned which can now be reinvested in other vital projects

“But it was not just about community ownership, I wanted to make sure that every renewable energy project – regardless of ownership – benefited the communities where they are to be located through financial support for community projects, mandatory community benefit funds, investment opportunities for communities and citizens, as well as a specific category for renewable electricity auctions,” concluded Denis Naughten.