Galway Energy Cooperative

June 6, 2021

In your own words, tell us about your project.
Galway Energy Co-operative aims to be an advocate to provide clean, renewable energy and services for Galway City and the surrounding area. We engage stakeholders and foster sustainable energy projects with them.
Why did you do this work?
Develop renewable energy to support climate change mitigation efforts

Democratise energy production

Develop local employment opportunities

Engage the knowledge, energy and expertise of the local community

Establish energy efficient lighthouse projects that are an exemplar to others

Drive our pilot community Westside's decarbonisation
What was the impact or outcome of your project?
Outcomes across the city. Currently we are developing an Energy Master Plan for the city.

This is helping to guide the city councils actions.

We have engaged the Westside community and are co-designing a number of sustainable energy projects there.

Galway City Council have adopted Westside as their decarbonisation zone based on our work there.

A number of solar installations for example: https://www.facebook.com/RethinkIreland/videos/751074208884109

Working on an Interreg storage project in Galway at present called STEPS, testing and developing storage technologies so that we can support the role out of more widespread renewables: https://www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/steps-storage-of-energy-power-systems-in-nwe/
Do you have any tips or advice for similar projects?
Keep in touch with lighthouse projects, they have done it before and they are an inspiration.
Which Sustainable Development Goals does your work link to?
Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable developmentve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Location of Project
Galway
Contact Person
Kieran Cunnane
Email Address
Contact Number
086 8516484