Organisation type: SEC

Web address: https://www.facebook.com/castleblayneysec/

Contact: Castleblayneyenergy@gmail.com

Community size

 

Sustainability focus

• Energy efficiency

• Low carbon / Carbon neutral

Funding and Financing sources: SEAI, LEADER

Current priorities

• Climate Change

• Energy generation

• Energy Efficiency

• Transport

• Waste

• Water

• Local Food

• Lighting

• Social Enterprise

• Building Retrofit

 

Stated aim of community

Our ambition is to ensure a reduction in energy use in Castleblaney. Our main focus initially, is in relation to community facilities but we will also target other sectors as we develop.

Additional Information

A strong community focus on sustainability, Castleblayney SEC has identified a number of issues that require intervention at local level to drive the community forward in their low carbon transition. Monaghan County Council has commenced a programme to install external insulation to properties under its remit within the town’s housing estates. This has resulted in a checker board effect, with many homes in private ownership not qualifying for the energy upgrade. Not only has this resulted in an unsightly front elevation, the overall energy efficiency potential of the retrofit cannot be fully realised until all of the properties have these energy upgrades completed. To amend this the SEC are in the process of applying to the SEAI for funding under the Better Energy Community Scheme to carry out the necessary works. The SEC committee are already in receipt of funding for two other projects (1) energy upgrade to the Iontan Centre, the local community enterprise centre and (2) lighting upgrades for three local businesses  However barriers have been identified by the committee, the most limiting being the low allocation of funds for administrative duties in relation to the projects. The current rate is 7% of capital funding and this severely impacts on the committee’s ability to attract and retain staff to oversee projects to completion. The issue of governance is also of concern, with no clear guidance as to responsibilities and liabilities or mechanisms to protect members of the committee provided by the SEAI.

Issues with traffic congestion and transport have been raised and the committee and wider community are looking for ways to make the town more pedestrian friendly. The current streetscape does not allow for pedestrian access between the main commercial areas. Many of the connecting lanes have been blocked and gated, resulting in extended walking distances between the many shopping and recreational areas of the town. The overall result of this disconnect is a high usage of private transport for short commutes. A direct and very obvious effect of this within the commercial area of the town is the poor air quality. A number of suggestions have been put forward, including the opening up of archways and gated laneways to the “backlands”. This would open up connectivity between the different areas of the town.

The Energy Sub-committee have completed an Energy Master Plan for the community. This has highlighted potential energy saving and retrofit opportunities for householders in the town and surrounding areas. Initial costings for basic upgrades to insulation of walls and roof, with a provision for low energy lighting throughout each property have been calculated. Typical costs amount to €2,850 net of SEAI grants with potential annual savings of €700 and payback periods of 4 to 5 years. The overall costs to householders can be further reduced if work is undertaken as a collective through the local energy group.

The Castleblayney Sustainable Energy Group has received national recognition, in association with Eurotech Renewables, from the SEAI Energy Awards 2018. This award recognises and rewards excellence in all aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

All aspects of sustainability are important to the community of Castleblayney. There are two community gardens located in the town. Each offering residents the opportunity to grow their own food. In addition the gardens provide a meeting place, with events held in conjunction with the annual Muckno Mania Festival. This year’s festival had a special focus on zero waste and volunteers set up crewed recycling stations to educate festival goers on how to separate and properly dispose of waste. There was also an emphasis on reducing waste and avoidance of single use plastics. Volunteers also ensured that any residual waste was cleared away after events. The committee hope to extend the initiative to all community events in the future.