A National Lottery-funded Sustainable Energy Communities project “has already played a key role in helping to establish the fundamentals required to deliver sustainable energy communities”.
Speaking at a Sustainable Energy Communities NI Showcase Event at Ballymacash Sports Academy, Dr. Bridget Meehan, Policy & Engagement Officer at Advice NI said: “Fuel poverty and climate change are key drivers behind this project. We know from a National Energy Action NI poll in 2024 that 40% of households were in fuel poverty, a dire situation. We also know that the burning of fossil fuels is the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas. Locally it is estimated that around 85% of our local fuel and energy needs are reliant on fossil fuels. The link between our energy provision and climate change is inextricable.
“This project aims to empower local communities to take control of their energy futures, promote sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions and address the urgent challenges of rising energy costs, fuel poverty and the climate emergency by engaging communities directly in creating and implementing local energy strategies.”
The project brought a group of likeminded organisations together to develop and design sustainable solutions in response to rising energy costs and the urgent need for climate action, two issues which have placed significant pressures on communities across Northern Ireland. The project is delivered by Advice NI as lead partner, alongside Atlantic Technological University, Co-operative Alternatives, Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative, NEA NI and NI Community Energy. The project works across four pilot communities: Ballymacash Sports Academy in Lisburn, Dolmens Climate Action Network in Co Down, Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal and The Oak Healthy Living Centre in Fermanagh.
Speaking at the event, Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald, said: “I would like to commend Advice NI and its partners for pioneering the Sustainable Energy Community Project, designed to empower local communities to take control of how they generate, conserve, and use energy. By supporting communities to co-design their own energy future, we are not only creating fairer economic opportunities across the north, but also laying the foundations for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy. This project is an inspiring example of my Economic Plan in action, demonstrating how community-led innovation can help deliver more good jobs, tackle regional imbalance, boost productivity, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.”
