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 Last month Tipperary County Council won a national award for its work in relation to its energy management performance and on its uptake of renewable energy solutions. Photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed by Tipperary County Council on fire stations, libraries, civic offices and at the Nenagh leisure centre, in a project which increased Ireland’s total PV capacity by some 44%.
New data shows that 800 panels installed in nine buildings owned by the Tipperary Council at a cost of €330,000 are presently generating 10% more power than projected, and will pay for themselves in just over six years.
Will Tipperary now be a catalyst for change; leading other areas of Ireland in generating further green energy in a clean sustainable way?
This week we learn that Lightsource Ireland, a renewable energy company are currently examining a proposal for the installation of a Solar Farm on lands situated at ‘The Furze’, situated east of Thurles Town, in County Tipperary.
Lightsource Renewable Energy is currently Europe’s leading solar energy company and operates a variety of solar farms and rooftop installations; while working closely with local communities, businesses and landowners, to generate green energy in a clean sustainable way.
You can view further details regarding this overall proposal by clicking HERE or click on image top left to magnify the image shown.
The proposed area, well known locally as ‘The Furze’ consists of a cluster of small connected fields, totalling some 27 acres. Same pastures are currently being used as grassland for silage and grazing. This proposed infrastructure, should it be agreed worthy of installation, will only reach a maximum height of 2.5 metres (8.2 ft). Existing established hedgerows therefore will be completely effective in screening any future solar farm installation from the view of public sight. Any present gaps in the existing hedgerows will be in-filled using native planting.
Agricultural fencing of about 2 metres in height is being proposed to surround any future site perimeter; same appropriate to the present rural setting and this fence will sit inside the surrounding hedgerows. Importantly, ‘Mammal Gates’ in this fencing, strategically placed, would allow for small mammals to move freely across the site, undisturbed.
Solar farms, unlike Wind Turbines and highly pollutant conventional Power Plants, are passive installations which do not produce any harmful by-products, such as noise, glare, seepage of harmful substances or the emission of high levels of electromagnetic radiation, which effect radio transmissions.
The land within this proposed solar farm area can continue to be grazed by sheep, thus keeping pastures in continual agricultural production. The wide field margins and associated areas of open grassland can be also managed to create, enhance and give sanctuary to local existing wildlife.
While these plans are still in the very early stages of discussion, Lightsource are keen to gather local input before they submit any formal planning application.
Thurles residents and those living within the towns environs, who would like to see how they can get involved in this project, are requested to get in touch with the Lightsource team directly or by attending at Thurles Rugby Club, Moyne Road, Thurles, County Tipperary on December 8th 2015 between 5:30-8pm, to meet, in person, Lightsource personnel for further debate and information.
 Waste Recycling
The people of Tipperary are playing their part in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill this Christmas by participating in three workshops throughout the county.
The ‘Trash to Treasure Christmas Workshops’ will examine the waste issue at Christmas and how individuals, households and businesses can reduce this mountain of rubbish that can build up over the festive period.
The Tipperary Women’s Network will host a workshop at Knocanrawley Resource Centre in Tipperary town on 10th December, while a similar workshop will be held at Lackamore N.S. from 1.00pm to 3.00pm on the same day. Meanwhile, Rockwell College in Cashel will host a workshop tomorrow (Tuesday, December 1st).
The Southern Waste Regional Office, supported by Tipperary County Council, is hosting the events, which will feature waste prevention tips and demonstrations.
“The people of Tipperary have always been very responsible when it comes to disposal of plastic, paper and glass materials built up over the Christmas period, and I am confident that they will respond similarly this year,” said Pauline McDonogh, Regional Waste Prevention Co-ordinator, Southern Waste Region.
“Attendees at the upcoming workshops will create decorations from waste, look at resourceful presents and wrapping, and share ideas for reducing food waste,” she said.
Ms. McDonogh continued: “With the Christmas holidays comes lots of extra packaging, particularly in the home. However, most of this packaging can be recycled. We are again reminding the public to bring their recyclable waste to our recycling centres and bottles and aluminium cans to the bring banks around County Tipperary.”
The Southern Waste Region encompasses the local authorities in Tipperary, Carlow, Clare, Cork City, Cork County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick City & County, Waterford City & County and Wexford.
Visit www.southernwasteregion.ie for more Info.
 On Thursday night last, Tipperary County Council won the Public Sector Sustainable Energy Award at a ceremony organised by the National Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI itself has a mission to play a leading role in the transformation of Ireland to a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. SEAI is partly financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
The award was won by Tipperary County Council for work in relation to its energy management performance and on its uptake of renewable energy solutions.
Tipperary County Council contested strong competition from three other finalists in the Public Sector category, namely; The Dublin Airport Authority, Gas Networks and An Post, who were also strong opponents in this close run national contest.
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Mr Seamus Hanafin and Council Director, Mr Matt Shortt accepted the award on behalf of Tipperary County Council, at a gala ceremony in Kilmainham Gaol.
Speaking following the acceptance of this award, Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Hanafin, stated that the award further highlighted the outstanding achievements by Tipperary County Council who, in partnership with Tipperary Energy Agency, were fully committed to upgrading their sustainable energy policy.
Praising all involved in finding genuine renewable energy solutions, Cllr. Hanafin stated, “Huge benefits have accrued to both Tipperary County Council as well as the people of Co. Tipperary. These benefits are borne out through achieving major cost reductions brought about by providing retrofits for both public buildings and houses, thus also greatly reducing our current carbon footprint.”
Entrants to the 2015 Sustainable Energy Awards have saved an unprecedented €48 million in the last year, through their extraordinary sustainable energy projects undertaken.
 The IPB ‘Pride of Place’ Awards ceremony will be streamed live online this year, organisers have announced.
Up to 1,000 people from all over the island of Ireland will gather in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare, on Saturday, November 14th, for a ceremony hosted by Clare County Council and Cooperation Ireland, which runs the competition north and south of the border.
It is the first time in the 13-year history of the all-island competition that the same county has hosted the ceremony two years running. More than 100 groups nominated by local authorities all over the island of Ireland are participating in this year’s competition, which is regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious all-island community awards.
One of the main category winners in last years (2014) IPB Pride of Place competition was our own Cloughjordan, here in Co. Tipperary, who won an Eco Initiative Award.
The 2015 IPB Pride of Place Awards will be broadcast live on www.prideofplace.ie and www.clare.ie from 7.30pm on Saturday, 14th November 2015.
Note to all Co. Tipperary residents – Recycle old electrical appliances for free.
 Electrical and Battery Recycling WEEE Ireland (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will be holding Free Electrical Recycling Days on the 17th Oct and 24th Oct 2015 at the following locations in Co Tipperary.
Dates & Venues.
Saturday 17th Oct, 2015 – 10:00am-4:00pm:- Venues Tomorrow – Tesco Car Park, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary & Tesco Car Park, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.
Saturday Next – 24th Oct, 2015 – 10:00am-4:00pm:- Venues – Cahir Castle Car Park, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, & Tesco Car Park, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
It is also interesting to note that figures recently released by Repak appear to show that almost 75% of those living in the province recycle household waste. This figure compares favourably to Dublin at 63%, Leinster at 68 percent, and Connacht/Ulster 62%.
A survey released ahead of Recycling Week (22 – 28 June 2015), however showed that persons recycling continue to harbour bad habits by putting incorrect and often contaminated items; e.g. nappies, razors and cigarette butts, into their Green Bin.
Full information on recycling domestic waste can be found by clicking HERE.
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