The South East Energy Agency says it has secured €3 million in European funding over the past five years.

The figure was revealed as energy and policy representatives gathered in Waterford to discuss the future of energy planning across the Southern Region.

The event, held at the Southern Regional Assembly Chamber, brought together representatives from local authorities, planning, energy and European project partnerships.

Discussions focused on changes to energy and planning policy, access to European funding and how EU-backed projects can support the transition towards cleaner energy at a regional level.

European Investment

South East Energy Agency CEO Paddy Phelan said attracting European funding to the region has been part of the organisation’s work since it was established in 2002.

‘Over the last five years alone, we have brought in three million euros in funding to the agency,’ he said.

The agency operates across Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and works with households, communities and businesses on energy efficiency and energy-saving projects.

Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Liam Brazil, who opened the event, said the future of energy is an important issue for the region.

He said bringing stakeholders together provides an opportunity to examine how energy and climate ambitions can be turned into practical measures.

The Waterford event also examined funding available through Horizon Europe and lessons from European energy projects which could be applied to future regional and local development.

Image used above: (l-r) Paddy Phelan (CEO at South East Energy Agency), Cllr Pip Breen (Wexford County Council), Cllr Liam Brazil (Mayor of Waterford City and Council), Cllr Ben Ward (Carlow County Council), Cllr Paul Doogue (Carlow County Council), Cllr Fidelis Doherty (Kilkenny County Council), and Cllr Maria Dollard (Kilkenny County Council)