The Conference has been the official launch of this 3-year Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme part-funded project.
After the welcome by Seamus Neely (CEO) and Terence Slowey Mayor of County Donegal, several experts on energy management have shared their vision and knowledge with the nearly 80 attendants to the event.
Mr. Michael O'Brien and Mr. Denis Kelly from the Northern & Western Regional Assembly have highlighted different aspects of EU funding and Spatial Development from the NWRA.
From Nova Scotia (Canada), Ms. Emma Norton Energy Efficiency Coordinator in the Ecology Action Centre has shared many experiences from Atlantic Canada in creating a win-win investment.
Ms. Ruth Buggie, Sustainable Energy Communities & Smart Grid Programme Manager in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has spoken about the Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) programme. It aims to create sustainable communities where everyone is involved in developing the energy system. The aim is to become more energy efficient to use renewable energy where possible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. The SEC includes the different energy users in a community such as homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses.
Mr. Donal Doyle, Director of Waste Management at RPS Group, has highlighted many opportunities for sustainable energy and smarter environmental solutions in the North West area of Ireland.
Ms. Mary Daly, Estates Manager at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, has brought lessons and outcomes from energy management and efficiency practices that they apply in the LYIT.
To end the conference, they keynote speech has been given by Mr. Duncan Stewart, an Irish architect, environmentalist and media personality. Stewart has reminded how important is to involve the community in order create smarter and more sustainable communities.
ISO 5001 accreditation
Donegal County Council announced in our Launch Conference that they have achieved ISO 50001 accreditation for its Energy Management System. The announcement was made by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Terence Slowey who highlighted that this recognition has been a culmination of many months of work by the management and staff of the Council. The local government has introduced a new Energy Management System throughout all it’s organisational operations and has raised fruitful Energy Awarness Campaigns during the last weeks.