Development Association in Offaly hosts Home Energy Retrofit Workshop

KILCORMAC Development Association (KDA) is proud to announce a free Home Energy Retrofit and Funding Workshop, to be held on Thursday, December 12th, at 7pm at the Kilcormac Community and Enterprise Centre, Kilcormac (R42 X894). This event is hosted in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) as part of the KDA's ambitious EU Just Transition project.

This workshop, led by SEAI Mentor and Energy Consultant Laurence O’Reilly, aims to empower residents, businesses, and community groups with essential knowledge about energy retrofitting, including information on available grants for insulation, heating systems, and renewable energy solutions.

The workshop is a cornerstone of the KDA Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, a transformative initiative to make Kilcormac a regional hub for renewable energy, innovation, and sustainability. The project reflects the KDA's dedication to reducing fossil fuel dependency, creating employment, and fostering sustainable economic revitalisation.

The KDA Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence, based at Kilcormac Community and Energy Centre, integrates cutting-edge renewable technologies, including:

• Solar PV Systems to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy.

• Micro Hydropower Installation, inspired by the historic millwheel at the site, harnessing energy from the Silver River.

• Solar Carports with EV Charging Points, promoting sustainable transportation.

• Renewable Energy Training Courses, providing skills and job opportunities for residents.

The initiative is closely aligned with Kilcormac's broader community development goals and EU Just Transition principles, addressing economic challenges arising from the decline of the peat industry and creating pathways toward a greener future.

With Kilcormac historically impacted by job losses in the peat industry and its ranking as a disadvantaged area per Pobal’s deprivation index, this project is a critical step in achieving economic revitalisation. The Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence also complements the KDA's National Just Transition Tourism Recreation Hub project, leveraging the town's unique assets, such as its proximity to Lough Boora Discovery Park, to elevate Kilcormac as a destination for eco-tourism.

Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or community group representative, this workshop is your chance to learn how to reduce energy costs and take part in Kilcormac's green transformation.

For more information or inquiries, contact the KDA office at (057) 91 35445 or email info@kilcormacda.ie .

Join them on December 12th to be part of a sustainable future for Kilcormac!