T: 071 96 46186 F: 071 96 46188 E: arignaleader@iol.ie

Dare to Grow Programme
Renewable Energy Support Programme
Within the past ten years the words "environment" and "renewable" have become common place in every day language. However even though we have never had a better understanding of the effect we are having on the eco-system, we are still relatively slow to change.
Ireland has wonderful potential to become a world leader in the development of renewable energy projects. The island offers the greatest wind resource in Europe, ample rivers for hydro schemes, perfect soil conditions for Geo-thermal and excellent irradiance levels for solar systems.


So what's stopping us? Why isn't the development of renewable energy projects common place throughout our island? Unfortunately there are a number of factors hindering the development of renewable energy projects.
People across the Island of Ireland are genuinely interested to do their bit for the environment but are put off by the perceived high costs associated with the installation of renewable technologies. Until such time as there is a considerable demand for these technologies prices will remain relatively high due to economies of scale.

Secondly there is a lack of well developed examples in Ireland, it is very hard to place faith in a technology which you have never seen in a working condition before, people interested require the opportunity to visit local examples to inform their plans to develop renewable ideas.
There is also a lack of local installers qualified to install the current range of renewable technologies. Local trades-people definitely have the expertise but to date have not had specific training to become proficient in the installation of renewable technologies.

Hopefully within the next ten years the installation of solar water heating systems will be as common as double glazed windows and small wind turbines will be as frequent as satellite dishes.

 
Current Renewable Projects
 

Dare to Grow
Renewable Energy

To overcome the barriers currently associated with the development of local renewable energy projects Sligo Leader Partnership Co., FLAG and Arigna Leader have come together to develop the Dare to Grow Programme. Funded by the LEADER Programme "Dare to Grow" has primarily been designed to provide grants, information and training services to businesses interested in installing renewable technologies within the areas of Fermanagh, Leitrim/N.Roscommon & Sligo.

The Dare to Grow programme is in response to an ever increasing interest in Renewable Energy in the local area and will be delivered through a four strand service.

The Renewable Energy Conference and Trade Fair

The Renewable Energy Fund

The Biomass Installation Training Programme

Business Energy Audits

  Renewable Energy Support Programme

The Renewable Energy Support Programme has appointed two full time staff members, one based in Arigna Leader and one based in WREAN, to provide support and technical advice to local businesses in the central cross border area seeking to develop a Renewable Energy Project.

The Objectives of the Project are,

To assist local community based and profit making businesses overcome the barriers associated with the development and installation of renewable technologies

Provide support and technical advice to cross border businesses