Exciting developments at first Skibbereen BEC Meeting...

There was a great turnout last night for the first meeting of the 'Green Skibbereen' group (provisional name) at the West Cork Hotel last night, to explore the potential for creating a Better Energy Community in the area. Local business owners, community members and representatives of various community organisations came out in force to hear presentations from organisers Jim O'Donnell of O'Donnell Furniture and Noel Casserly of Smart Earth. Also speaking at the meeting were local youth climate activist Alicia O'Sullivan, and Caitriona Courtney, also from Skibbereen, of NCE Insulation's Energy Hub in Cork City. They were joined by John Flynn from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and José Ospina, Secretary of Carbery Housing Association (CHA). All speakers emphasised the urgent need for action on climate change and spoke of the renewable energy technologies that could be implemented to help make this happen. CHA have been involved in the setting up of the group since its inception by Noel and Jim earlier this year and José gave an impassioned and inspiring presentation on the potential benefits of getting involved in EU projects and networks, highlighting the ongoing RED WoLF project that CHA is currently undertaking a Pilot for in a number of our homes. The meeting was a great success and we were delighted to have been a part of it. Hopefully actions will come out of it and Skibbereen can move forward on its journey to a greener future in 2020.