What were described as “systemic failures” in the government’s renewable energy policy were highlighted recently by Cllr Ann Higgins who referenced the 330,000 people currently in energy poverty and the failure to invest in renewable energy for all.
In a motion before the October meeting of Sligo County Council, Cllr Higgins asked that the Local Authority, “Writes to the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Daragh O’Brien, calling for the inclusion of the installation of solar panels and battery storage in the Social Housing Retrofit Programme.”
“The green divide in Ireland is real and growing,” Cllr Higgins stated as she referenced a recent report published by TCD which found that solar panels, heat pumps, and electric cars are five to seven times more common in affluent areas and up to thirteen times more common in higher affluent areas.
“The report found that supports provided to transition to these new technologies are favouring by a substantial margin the more affluent areas while those in socio-economic challenged areas are being left behind.
“And there is terrible irony as the people with lower incomes are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs than those from a wealthier background, yet right now all the grants and supports are obviously been targeted to and availed by those from more affluent backgrounds.
“So the transfer of wealth to those who actually do not need it is evident, and is leaving behind those who need it the most.”
Cllr Higgins highlighted flaws with the current system saying the delay between payment being made and the grant being issued is making the transition to green energy increasingly difficult for lower income households and called for this to be addressed by including the installation of solar panels and battery storage within the social housing retrofit programme.
“Green transition makes energy bills cheaper but those who need it the most are being left behind so we do not have a just transition. Instead, the gap between those who have and those who have not is increasing at a pace, with government policies effectively widening inequality. While the current grants system is certainly helping to increase the number of people who are making the transition to renewables and green energy, the upfront payment and wait for the grant to repay effectively rules out those on lower and middle incomes.”
Cllr Higgins added, “I am calling for solar panels and battery storage to be extended to those in social housing, because while the retrofitting is a great initiative, we should now include it beyond the heat pumps and insulation wraps. All our Local Authority tenants should not be limited to some green technologies, they should have equal access to all. So installation of solar panels and battery storage within the social housing retrofit programme would be one positive step towards addressing the growing green divide.”
Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.