
Paul Kenny – CEO Tipperary Energy Agency addresses attendees at the event in Halla na Feile, Cashel
Tipperary Green Business Network in association with Tipperary Energy Agency, recently held a seminar entitled “Ireland’s Energy Challenge – Community Solutions”. The event which took place in Cashel on March 6th received a great deal of interest and was well attended by individuals from various energy backgrounds.
Close to 90 people were in attendance on the day including seven Tipperary County Councillors and Deputy Mattie McGrath, TD. Many of those who attended were representing anti-wind awareness groups and they were given a significant amount of time to pose questions and voice their concerns and opinions.
The objectives of the seminar were to engage interested individuals, businesses and community representatives in discussion on current and future energy policy in Ireland and help influence the shape of the White Paper on Energy currently being drafted. There was a clear point of view which came across during the day and that is, community ownership is key to a vision for future energy policy in Ireland.
The event featured presentations from researchers, policy makers, and representatives from local government. Tipperary Co. Council was represented by Michael Woulfe and Errol Close attended on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. There were also a number of speakers on exemplar community energy initiatives and businesses in Ireland.

Michael Begley, Development Officer, STDC & Patrick Killeen, Development Officer, NTLP — at the Ireland’s Energy Challenge Event in Halla Na Feile, Canopy Street, Cashel.
Presentations from the day can be found at www.tea.ie and www.tipperarygbn.org
Tipperary Green Business Network gratefully acknowledges financial and other assistance from The Local Enterprise Office, Tipperary (LEO), North Tipperary LEADER Partnership (NTLP), South Tipperary Development Company (STDC) and the Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA).