Anthony Palmer and Cllr Hazel Smyth, members of the Mullingar SEC, at the SEAI Energy Awards, at which the Mullingar SEC was a finalist in the ‘Inspiring Sustainable Energy Communities’ category.

Mullingar SEC make finals of SEAI Energy Awards

Published: Tue 12 Dec 2023, 1:51 PM

Last updated: Fri 15 Dec 2023, 1:52 PM

The Mullingar Sustainable Energy Community (MSEC) narrowly missed out on the title of ‘Inspirational Sustainable Energy Community’ at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Awards 2023, announced in Dublin in November.

The pioneering community group, which is based in Mullingar, had made the final in their category, which in itself was an achievement. The outright winner on the night was the Connacht GAA Sustainable Energy Community. The other two finalists were Glinsk Sustainable Energy Community and The Yard Hub Sustainable Energy Community.

Speaking after the award ceremony, Cllr Hazel Smyth, chairperson of the Mullingar SEC, said: “We are delighted to have reached the final and I’m so proud of all the work that the Mullingar SEC had done to secure the nomination.

“Congratulations to Connaught GAA, who were deserving winners. Through this award, the SEAI are helping to showcase the work carried out by sustainable energy communities throughout Ireland in working towards solutions to the climate crisis.”

The Mullingar SEC have been working since established in 2018 on helping Mullingar to become carbon neutral by 2050. A sub-committee of Mullingar Chamber, they have had a busy year. They are continuing to work on the design and development of a 100% community-owned solar farm on the site of the former landfill at Marlinstown. During the summer, the group also published Mullingar’s first energy master plan, which sets out a roadmap to help the town reach its target of zero carbon.

The Mullingar SEC are always looking for new members to help with their work. Anybody interested in helping out is asked to check visit www.mullingarsec.ie and get in touch with any of the committee members or email secmullingar@gmail.com.