Insights from Gregg Allen’s Presentation for the POWER-E-COM Project
In this engaging presentation from the POWER-E-COM project—co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union—Gregg Allen from “COMMUNITY POWER” shares the inspiring story of Ireland’s Templederry community wind farm. Spanning over a decade, this journey highlights how local residents collaborated to develop a community-owned renewable energy project, overcoming significant regulatory, financial, and bureaucratic challenges.
Key Topics Explored in the Video:
The Evolution of a Community Wind Farm
The Templederry wind farm initiative began in 1999, with the official entity established in 2000. Local residents—including shopkeepers, schoolteachers, and farmers—purchased shares in a unique “one share, one vote” structure, ensuring democratic governance. Despite delays related to grid connection moratoriums, planning permissions, and economic downturns, the wind farm successfully launched in 2013.
Key Milestones:
- Community Investment: 22 local investors, including a development cooperative holding two shares—the largest single stakeholder.
- Turbine Specifications: Two turbines generating 2.3MW each, totaling 4.6MW.
- 12-Year Journey: Overcame economic crises and infrastructural delays to achieve operational success.
Innovative Company Structures
Templederry’s success lies in its strategic organizational framework:
- Limited Companies: All three main entities—Templederry Energy Resources (holding company), Templederry Wind Farm, and Community Power—operate as limited companies. This structure was essential because Irish banks prefer lending to limited companies over cooperatives.
- Shareholding Limits: Limited companies in Ireland can only have up to 150 shareholders, a challenge the team navigated through innovative ownership models.
- Community Power’s Role: As Ireland’s first community-owned electricity supplier, Community Power acts as a representation organization, lobbying for supportive energy policies and promoting community involvement.
Local Benefits & Community Impact
Community-owned projects like Templederry wind farm offer significant advantages:
- Local Employment: Creation of direct jobs, with Community Power now employing five full-time staff members.
- Democratic Governance: Ensuring that ownership and decision-making remain within the local community.
- Economic Returns: Although Templederry shareholders have reinvested all revenue into further community projects, the potential for local dividends and intergenerational wealth transfer remains significant.
- Cheaper Electricity: Community Power supplies electricity locally, demonstrating the cost-saving potential of community energy projects.
Future Opportunities & Policy Influence
Templederry’s success serves as a model for expanding community energy initiatives:
- Scaling Across Ireland: Other communities, such as those in Galway, are following Templederry’s lead, working with Community Power to develop solar farms and similar projects.
- Policy Engagement: Community Power actively engages with policymakers, influencing regulations to support community-owned energy generation.
- Intergenerational Wealth Transfer: Like similar projects in France and the UK, Templederry’s shares could be passed on to future generations, ensuring long-term community benefits.
Overcoming Regulatory Barriers
Ireland’s energy landscape presents unique challenges:
- Single DSO Monopoly: Ireland has only one Distribution System Operator (DSO), unlike other countries with multiple DSOs. This monopoly poses hurdles for community projects.
- Advocacy for Change: Community Power is lobbying the DSO to adopt more community-friendly policies, taking inspiration from successful examples in Austria and Slovenia.
Education & Energy Transition
Beyond energy generation, Templederry’s project promotes:
- Local Education: Increasing public understanding of how energy systems function, fostering informed participation.
- Sustainable Development: Empowering local communities to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Conclusion & Broader Implications
Templederry’s journey showcases how collective community efforts, strategic business structures, and persistent advocacy can overcome significant barriers in renewable energy development. This project stands as a testament to the transformative potential of community-led energy initiatives—not only in Ireland but across Europe.
Watch the Full Video:
Templederry Community Wind Farm: Ireland’s Renewable Energy Success Story
Empower yourself with knowledge and join the conversation on how community energy projects can revolutionize local areas, foster sustainable development, and shape a greener future. Like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and insights from community-driven renewable energy projects across Europe!
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