Public energy information webinar on Thursday

Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative (ECTC) has said that one of the best ways to prepare for the post Covid-19 economic recovery is to scale up retrofitting schemes around the country as soon as it is safe for work to begin on such projects. 
Since forming in 2012 ECTC has overseen the investment of €10.2 million in communities involving 827 homes and 27 community and commercial buildings with 8.8GWh of energy saved. This work has supported the employment of 65 people.
Development Co-ordinator Derry O'Donnell said: “It is one of the quickest ways to get construction workers back to work as projects can commence immediately in most cases as soon as the workplan is agreed. You don't need to wait for planning permission to come through to insulate your attic or walls or to replace old windows with double glazing.
“The target set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan states that 500,000 dwellings must be retrofitted by 2030. ECTC is ideally placed to help deliver on these targets with years of experience built up. All that’s needed to kickstart things is commitment from the Government.” 
Energy efficiency brings many benefits to communities. These kinds of projects are labour intensive, creating and supporting jobs locally. Reducing energy consumption costs means that more money stays in the local area. This further supports other local jobs and service industries. 
With increased local employment, young people are less inclined to emigrate or move from rural areas to larger cities. People have healthier and warmer homes, which also results in better physical and mental health.
Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative is a community-driven not-for-profit company. ECTC’s mission is to allow communities in Tipperary and surrounding areas to create local employment and community benefit through reducing their carbon footprint and generating community-owned energy. This is all presided over by a volunteer board of community directors. ECTC is actively recruiting new communities to get involved and to avail of the substantial benefits available. For more info, phone Derry, 089-9546808, or email derry@energycommunitiestipp.ie
A series of public Energy Information Event roadshows had begun before Covid-19. These are now being moved online. On Thursday, May 14th, there is a public energy information webinar being organised by Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative in association with Templemore Community Development Association. The webinar begins at 7.30pm. Speakers will include representatives from Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative, Drombane Upperchurch Energy Team, SOLA Energy Solutions, EV Chargers and Wind Turbine Trees and Community Power, Ireland's first community-owned electricity supplier.
Register online at energycommunitiestipp.ie or bit.ly/tmoreenergy. See Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative Facebook page for more information.