Irish Rural Link is hosting a series of consultation workshops on EirGrid’s Shaping Our Electricity Future strategy.

Last month, EirGrid and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan launched a nationwide consultation on the future of Ireland’s electricity system.

They are asking anyone interested in Ireland’s energy future to consider the approaches outlined in Shaping Our Electricity Future and provide feedback.

“Climate change is one of the starkest challenges we face and Ireland is currently lagging far behind on our emissions targets,” the minister said.

EirGrid has been asked by the government to transform the electricity system in anticipation of a future without coal, oil, peat, “and ultimately one with net zero emissions”.

Specifically, it must redevelop the grid to manage 70% of Ireland’s electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030.

Irish Rural Link will facilitate a public consultation workshop for the south-west region on Thursday, April 15, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

The workshop aims to get the thoughts of rural communities and individuals on the draft approaches outlined in EirGrid's report in order to reach the 2030 targets.

Speakers will include Mark Foley, CEO of EirGrid; Brian O’Gallachoir, UCC; Bill Kelly, Community Power; and Siona Daly, Tipperary Energy. It will be chaired by Seamus Boland of Irish Rural Link.

This is the first in a number of regional workshops and Irish Rural Link encourages individuals to attend the workshop designated for their region.

If individuals are unavailable to participate in the workshop set for their region, Irish Rural Link advises to register for the region closest to them.

The rest of the workshops are as follows:

Further details on the workshops can be found on the Irish Rural Link's website.