SEAI’s Sustainable Energy Community programme, SEC for short is a programme that engages community involvement allowing a shared learning and implementation of energy solutions locally. 

Communities in the programme are provided with a mentor from SEAI to learn about energy use in their community before embarking on a deeper analysis of energy usage which leads to an Energy Master Plan. The Energy Master Plan including sample audits, profiling and identification of opportunities is done by consultants paid for with a 100% grant by SEAI.  The programme looks at the full range of energy usage in the community including householders, businesses, workplaces and community facilities.  Once the analysis is complete the communities can then proceed to implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects which receive grant funding from the SEAI.

Since 2020 Wicklow County Council has taken on an active role in supporting SECs, one of three local authorities in the country to do so along with Meath and Kildare.  Wicklow County Council is now assisting by becoming lead party in a grant application for an energy master plan. Eight communities have already started to work on Energy Master Plans with Wicklow County Council as lead partner for the grant.   

The SEC programme is generating momentum in the shift to cleaner more affordable energy for all in County Wicklow going forward. It also delivers on SDG Goal 6 Clean and affordable energy.

 Check out SEAI's website for more details on the programme here