What is an SEC?

A Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) is a community that works together to develop a sustainable energy system. To do so, they aim to;

  • be energy-efficient

  • use renewable energy

  • consider smart energy solutions

An SEC can include a range of different energy users in the community such as homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses. In this way, an SEC connects sustainable energy, local economic development and public wellbeing.

There are many benefits to becoming an SEC, including to:

  • Achieve financial and energy savings

  • Enhance comfort and health from energy

  • efficient buildings

  • Boost local employment

  • Support community development

  • Build capacity and access funding

By becoming an SEC, a group will be able to access a range of supports from SEAI for energy projects. An integrated community approach makes it possible to deliver much more than is possible at an individual level. SECs also contribute to national energy targets and reduce society’s environmental impact. At a global level, low carbon and renewable energy sources support the need to address climate change by reducing our global emissions.

““The reason we got involved in the SEC network was that we recognised some time ago that you can’t do everything on your own, you’ve got to have support; the support of colleagues who are going through similar issues as you, and if you have that support then the whole task of what we want to achieve becomes much easier.”

- EUGENE CONLON,

DUNLEER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

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