Dingle’s SEC (Sustainable Energy Community) mentors are recruiting local groups who want to be actively involved in finding ways to move the community toward more sustainable energy practices.

The five newly appointed mentors are Deirdre de Bhailís, Catríona Fallon, Martin Bealin, Dinny Galvin and Ann Ní Chíobháin, all of whom have been involved with the Dingle Hub for a number of years.

The new mentors have expertise in a variety of areas.  Martin Bealin has experience in the hospitality sector, Dinny Galvin and Catríona Fallon with the agricultural sector, Ann Ní Chíobháin in tourism and Deirdre de Bhailís in energy systems and technology.

The mentors will help local groups become an SEC — a voluntary group that wants to improve energy efficiency in the area, usually by organising workshops, fostering networks of like-minded people and sharing knowledge.  The model for a successful SEC follows the outline of “Learn, Plan, Do.”  Ultimately, local SECs might create an Energy Master Plan (EMP) for their sector.

Already, there are established SECs in Kerry who are doing great work, including the Kerry Sustainable Energy Co-op run by KSEC, Valentia Island Co-op SEC and Dingle Peninsula SEC, who have completed their EMP’s. Both the West Kerry Dairy Farmers SEC and Corca Dhuibhne Tourism and Hospitality SEC hosted successful Solar Meitheals for their communities. Comharchumann Dhún Chaoin Teoranta SEC will start work on their EMP this year.

Other groups that have recently been established are Shannon Hub SEC, the North Kerry Environmental Group SEC, and the Kenmare SEC. For any groups eager to know more, the mentors are happy to arrange visits and/or online video calls to explain in more detail the benefits of SEC membership.

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Full press release  [PDF]