M‑CO worked with the community loan finance provider Clann Credo to engage their client network on sustainable energy consumption with support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The aim was to bring together community organisations, social enterprises and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) around the country to form a unique Sustainable Energy Community connected by their shared goals, values, and energy needs.
Using surveys to engage and motivate this diverse range of organisations, M‑CO captured data relating to sector of activity, energy expenditure, unique energy uses and infrastructure, and goals for energy efficiency. We achieved survey responses from over 250 organisations, giving a response rate of almost 50% and surpassing initial expectations. The data was then stored and analysed in line with SEAI’s community energy templates, with clusters of organisations identified both by geography and sector which could potentially be aggregated to form grant applications to SEAI. We presented a report to Clann Credo and SEAI which outlined the findings and the ways in which the Sustainable Energy Community can be engaged, identifying technical and non-technical opportunities and making recommendations for future engagement.