The idea is to support and fund communities to take climate action at a local level, and in particular to reduce energy use. A Sustainable Energy Community is any group of people who come together to improve how energy is used for the benefit of their community.

In 2017, Abbeyleix established its own Sustainable Energy Community. This is our charter.

In December 2020, we commissioned our own Energy Master Plan in conjunction with South East Energy Agency

In 2019/ 2020 we worked with Abbeyleix Tennis Club to secure SEAI Better Energy Funding to deliver upgraded lighting - cutting consumption by 50%

In 2023, we used our SEC status to lobby for a deep retrofit of Scoil Mhuire under the SEAI Pathfiner programme. See full details of project here: https://www.seai.ie/case-studies/scoil-mhuire-abbeyleix

We were delighted to work with the Laois County Council Community Action Fund in 2024. We were supported to: install a solar PV and battery installation, install smart controls on our heating system, install bike stands and purchase segregated bins. We were also supported to purchase innovative monitoring sensors. More details here: https://www.abbeyleixtidytowns.net/smart-plan-fr-breen-park

TBC