Solar
The Claremorris and Western District Energy Co-op is demonstrating how local communities can play a leading role in Ireland's transition to clean energy. Established in 2018, the co-op brings together local people to develop renewable energy projects that benefit both the environment and the wider community.
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What began with practical initiatives such as installing solar panels on schools and improving the energy efficiency of local buildings has grown into a much broader vision. The co-op is now developing a solar farm on a former landfill site, transforming unused land into a source of clean, renewable electricity.
A key part of its work is ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy remain within the community. Through Community Power, Ireland's first community-owned renewable electricity supplier, locally generated electricity can be supplied back to Irish communities, helping to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while creating long-term social and economic benefits.
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The Claremorris project is also one of the communities supported under the Government's Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which encourages community ownership of renewable energy projects across Ireland.
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By combining local leadership, community participation and renewable energy, the Claremorris Co-op is creating a model that other towns and villages can learn from as Ireland works towards its climate goals.
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For the full story and more details about the Claremorris initiative, please read the original article linked Below.