EirGrid roadshow outlines energy transition and opportunities for Westmeath consumers

The EirGrid Energy Citizens Roadshow in Mullingar attracted a large crowd last week, where it was heard there are opportunities for Westmeath to be ‘independent and sustainable’.

At the event people heard about the work EirGrid does in operating and developing the electricity grid, and the ambition to achieve 80% of Ireland’s electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030.

Speaking following the roadshow, head of public engagement with EirGrid, Sinéad Dooley, said: “We had a vision for these roadshow events, to provide an opportunity for people, businesses and communities to speak with and hear from experts in the energy industry, and hear about how EirGrid plans to make the grid stronger and more flexible.”

The large attendance and the level of engagement showed that the people of Mullingar and surrounding areas want to be part of a cleaner energy future and we want to support this and support the vibrant local economy here.”

The event heard from EirGrid senior engineer, John McKenna, who outlined the work being done to prepare the grid, including upgrading existing circuits, and new technology projects.

Isabella Donnelly, regional coordinator and Westmeath county mentor, SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities, said that heating accounts for 80% of home energy and that 30% of a home’s energy is lost through the roof.

She also outlined how the ‘One Stop Shop’ initiative from SEAI offers a wider range of grants, offering up to 50% of the cost of works of a home energy upgrade.

Speaking about sustainable energy communities, Ms Donnelly said there were already 16 SECs in Westmeath and said SEAI assist energy efficiency community projects through capital funding, partnerships, and technical support.

Gerry Noone, of ESB Networks, outlined Westmeath’s current energy demands and said looking towards 2030 it could be more “resilient, independent and sustainable”.

He outlined how micro-generation, such as solar PV, would allow people to be paid for excess electricity they generate.

The event concluded with an engaging question and answer session moderated by MC, Ciaran Mullooly.

ESB pilot scheme in Mullingar

In a statement following the event, Mr Noone said that ESB Networks is supporting Ireland’s Climate Action Plan ambitions to 2030. The decarbonisation of Irish society will mean fundamental changes in how energy is generated and consumed; better use of the existing electricity network is at the heart of implementing these changes, he said.

“As we tackle ongoing security of supply challenges – and strive to increase the proportion of renewables-generated electricity – ESB Networks is enabling every Irish home, farm, community and business to play a part.

“Flexibility means the ability of the existing electricity network – and its customers (generation, demand, storage and prosumers, both consumer and producer) – to respond to changing states of generation, demand and network characteristics.

“Flexibility services are key to better utilising the network, with ESB Networks – through the National Network, Local Connections Programme – trialling these services through a range of pilots; pilot outcomes and learnings are key to designing, and realising, an enduring market for flexibility services, with each pilot different in scale, location and capability to be tested.

“From Q4 2023, ESB Networks will launch a pilot in Mullingar and surrounds. This pilot will help in developing an understanding of customers’ needs, barriers, and motivations to participate. As with all pilots, engagement and collaboration with domestic, industrial and commercial stakeholders on the ground is key. For those stakeholders interested in participating – be they demand sites (e.g. factories), generators (e.g. wind farms) or households (facilitated through a Flexibility Service Provider) – flexibility payments will support commercial viability and incentivise required electricity consumption/generation to achieve pilot objectives.

“The Mullingar pilot is currently in design phase, with expressions of interest to be sought through a Prior Information Notice Market Consultation, which will be published in October 2022. Formal expressions of interest will be sought through a procurement process later this year.”