SAtComm recently participated in the Clean Energy for EU Islands (CE4EUI) workshop on “Financial Schemes and Shared Ownership for Clean Energy Projects”, held on Oileán Chléire (Cape Clear), Ireland. The workshop, organised by the Clean Energy for EU Islands Secretariat in cooperation with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Econoler, Samsø Energy Academy, and other partners, highlighted both progress and challenges in enabling community energy ownership in island regions.
The event brought together European and Irish stakeholders to explore community-led approaches to financing renewable energy initiatives. Cape Clear provided an inspiring example of local innovation, featuring fully electric buses and a community biodigester developed by AmuGreen and MyGug, and funded by Cork County Council, which converts food waste into biogas for local use.
Key contributors
Representing Walton Institute and the Interreg Atlantic Area SAtComm project, Sean Lyons joined leading experts including Alberto Bernardini, Climate Finance Expert, Econoler, Søren Hermansen, Samsø Energy Academy Fergus O’Toole, CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), and Gillian Baker from SEAI to discuss the development of energy communities and shared ownership models. The workshop was chaired by Riccardo Novo, 3E.
Impact and next steps
The event reinforced the need for collaboration between research institutions, policy makers, and communities to unlock sustainable, locally led energy futures for Europe’s islands. Walton Institute’s participation demonstrates its active role in supporting Ireland’s clean energy transformation through applied research, innovation, and partnership
