COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 08, 2013

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

That the Manager, noting the contents of Sections 2.5.9, 2.5.10, 2.5.11 and 2.5.12 of the Written Statement of the County Development Plan 2010-2016, would provide an outline report on progress made towards the achievement of Policy EC6: Renewable Energy (sub-section 2.5.10.i), Policy EC7: Small Scale Hydroelectricity Projects (sub-section 2.5.10.ii), Policy EC8: Geothermal Energy (sub-section 2.5.10.iii), and Policy EC9: Small Scale Wind Energy Developments (sub-section 2.5.12.i), and include reference to any government legislation enacted since the adoption of the Plan, which might facilitate or support the achievement of these Policy objectives.

REPORT:

Having regard to the above listed sections of the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2010 – 2016, the Council has prepared the Draft South Dublin Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), (currently on public consultation until 4th April 2013). The Draft SEAP sets out how South Dublin County can take the lead in addressing EU and national energy reduction targets to 2020. The Draft SEAP has been undertaken in partnership with the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and eight other local authorities across the EU, as part of the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) funded, Leadership for Energy Action and Planning (LEAP) programme. The Draft SEAP has also been prepared with input from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CODEMA).

The Draft SEAP analyses the County’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (based on a 2006 baseline emissions inventory) and sets out how South Dublin County can reduce consumption and CO₂ emissions, in line with 2020 energy targets, through a range of energy actions across sectors. SEAP actions have been structured under the guiding principles of ‘Record, Reduce & Replace’.  The Draft SEAP recognises that growth in the generation and increased use of energy from renewable sources across South Dublin County, including hydro, wind, geothermal etc, is vital to the achievement of 2020 energy targets. SEAP ‘Replace’ actions set out both a strategic and local approach to exploring renewable energy alternatives in the County, facilitating capacity building across all sectors, in particular for the private sector.

The following specific SEAP ‘Replace’ Actions address the growth of renewable energy in South Dublin County:

Action REP1: Prepare a Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES)

Having regard to a variety of renewable energy opportunities across South Dublin County, the purpose of the Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy will be to set out opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses to harness renewable energy in a sustainable manner, whilst fostering a consistent approach across the County. The LARES will inform future Development Plan policy by facilitating the development of evidence based planning policies and objectives in relation to renewable energy and will allow SDCC to provide transparent information to the public and prospective developers.

Action REP2: Pilot renewable energy measures testing renewable technologies and improved fabric measures as part of major new build capital projects

SDCC will continue the use of new build specialist pilot projects to test renewable and sustainable energy technologies and building practices, which can encourage the growth of such alternatives across all sectors. Detailed examples of SDCC’s experiences in renewable technologies and improved fabric measures across its building stock (including Tallaght Leisure Centre, Clondalkin Leisure Centre, St. Mark’s Youth and Family Centre, Valhalla, and Ballyroan Library) are included in the Draft South Dublin SEAP, to showcase the energy savings being achieved from Council owned and operated buildings. These detailed best practice / benchmark examples are included in the Draft SEAP to encourage take up of such measures / technologies across the private sector.

Action REP3: Feasibility Projects to assess large scale renewable and low carbon technologies/strategies

The development of large scale renewable energy alternatives in South Dublin County will benefit from a range of preliminary, evidence based feasibility studies, to promote capacity building across all sectors. South Dublin County Council will continue to investigate the feasibility of using renewable and low carbon technologies on a large scale through the following:

• Desk top studies on district heating in suitable locations in the County, such as Tallaght Town Centre and Grangecastle Business Park.
• Looking at the possibility of setting up Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in these locations.
• Desk top studies on the use of hydro based energy production on the River Dodder and River Liffey.
• Assessing the feasibility of wind energy production in public parks, in the Dublin Mountains and with LUAS at the Red Cow interchange.

 Action REP4: Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies in conjunction with Institute of Technology Tallaght

The Institute of Technology Tallaght is a key stakeholder in the Tallaght Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) programme. SDCC and Institute of Technology Tallaght have identified that there is scope for a number of renewable energy feasibility studies to be undertaken by students as part of course programmes. These studies could explore on-site renewable energy alternatives that could be replicated in buildings / commercial premises across the County.