Minister O’Brien launches major new EnergyCloud project in Fingal

Minister Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment has launched a new EnergyCloud project in Fingal with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Co-operative Housing Ireland.

The initiative, which was announced as part of an ongoing collaboration between not-for-profit EnergyCloud Ireland and Amazon Web Services (AWS), will enable 500 families across Fingal to receive free tanks of hot water from surplus renewable energy.

These families will soon have their homes equipped with an EnergyCloud enabled smart device to allow them to benefit from free tanks of hot water from surplus renewable energy. The device uses surplus renewable energy, which would otherwise be wasted, to heat immersion tanks.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD said: “This is an ambitious and creative project between EnergyCloud Ireland, Co-operative housing Ireland and Amazon Web Services and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to officially launch this programme in Fingal. The Government has clear ambitions under the Climate Action Plan to reduce our carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. This innovative project, which is also supported by Eirgrid and ESB matches these government goals using surplus renewable energy and smart technology to help those in energy poverty, helping to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint and supports our Climate Action Plan.”

The first families will be done in collaboration with Co-operative housing Ireland and Pearse O’Shiel, Vice Chair of Co-operative housing Ireland said, “We are delighted to partner with EnergyCloud on this innovative initiative. At Co-operative housing Ireland, we are committed to delivering sustainable, people-centred solutions for our member tenants. This partnership reflects our shared values of community, equity, and sustainability — and it marks a meaningful step in tackling energy poverty by ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy reach those who need it most.”

Niamh Gallagher, Country Lead for Ireland at AWS said: “This collaboration with EnergyCloud Ireland highlights our continued commitment to the local communities where we work. EnergyCloud’s innovative device is prompting new conversations at local and national levels about how best to use Ireland’s excess renewable energy and maximise social impact in the process.”

Alan Wyley, CEO of EnergyCloud Ireland concluded: “This latest support from AWS will allow EnergyCloud support 500 families across Fingal and we are enormously grateful for their support, as well as the support of the electricity retailers who fund the free electricity for these families. This will also allow us to scale our partnership with Co-operative Housing Ireland, who are a key partner of ours. The Programme for Government commits to use surplus renewable energy to help those in energy poverty and we look forward to working with Minister O’Brien and the Government throughout the lifetime of this Government to deliver this commitment, reducing the levels of wasted renewable energy and helping the 550,000 homes in Ireland that are in energy poverty.”