North Tipperary aims to become "a beacon of sustainable energy use in Europe" with the aid of an EU grant of €4.1 million to make existing homes more energy-efficient and develop a district heating system at Ireland's first eco-village.
As well as reducing the amount of energy being used in the area, the initiative - known as Serve - aims to promote renewable energy systems, in particular the pioneering district heating system at the eco-village in Cloughjordan.
This will be powered by wood-chip boilers and solar panels. Each home in the village will be metered to measure energy use, and the process will be monitored, so that other communities can learn from the experience.
Project co-ordinator Séamus Hoyne said it would also show-case the installation of a small number of micro-wind turbines at particular locations in the area, along with researching how its future electricity needs could be met by renewables.
The energy project is being spearheaded by a consortium of partners including North Tipperary County Council, the Cloughjordan eco-village, Irish renewable energy equipment suppliers and international experts, and is being led by Tipperary Institute.
Mr Hoyne, a lecturer in rural development at the institute, said it had evolved out of discussions with eco-village members about how their project could be integrated into the wider community, and how its aims could be promoted beyond its membership.
"This led to a proposal to the EU which seeks not only to support the development of the eco-village but also, and equally importantly, to improve the energy efficiency of existing towns and villages in the region . . . and thus save on bills," he said.
Rónán Kennedy, chairman of development company, Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd, said they were also delighted that "an idea which was spawned by the creation of our eco-village is leading to immediate practical benefits for the people of north Tipperary."
Construction work at the eco-village, where some house sites are still available for purchase, has already begun.
More information may be obtained from www.thevillage.ie or e-mail Séamus Hoyne at shoyne@tippinst.ie
