Deal to establish first sustainable energy community signed
Business and public sector leaders in the cross-border Dundalk/Newry region today signed a charter to support a new project aimed at establishing Ireland’s first sustainable energy community.
The ‘Dundalk 2020’ project is being coordinated by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and aims to highlight how a community can move to a more sustainable pattern of energy supply and use.
The project will initially focus on developing a four square kilometre sustainable community in Dundalk town.
Dundalk 2020 is intended to showcase what is possible for the town of Dundalk, the surrounding region and eventually for Ireland as a whole by demonstrating sustainable energy in practice in housing, industry, education, healthcare, retail and leisure facilities.
“The Dundalk 2020 project will serve as an inspiration for communities throughout Ireland,” said SEI chief executive David Taylor.
“SEI is confident that the project, through its leadership and vision, will deliver individual benefits and showcase the wider benefits of a sustainable society in action and help guide other communities willing to adopt a similar strategy.
“The signing of the charter today is a milestone and it is particularly pleasing to see such close co-operation between the public and private sector as well as the local authorities on both sides of the border”.
Almost 20 signatories have committed to supporting the aims and objectives of the Dundalk 2020 project through the charter, including Newry and Mourne District Council, which is co-operating closely with the project on a cross-border basis.
