7 - Energy & Communications

Chapter 7 - Energy & Communications

Due to increased energy requirements and national and EU targets for energy consumption from renewable sources, our electricity supply must move away from fossil fuel sources to renewable and sustainable forms of generation. The Council recognises the range of new and developing technologies and supporting infrastructure that can contribute to minimising greenhouse gas emissions and to securing a greater proportion of our energy needs from renewable resources.  Kildare has a long history of energy production related predominantly to the commercial exploitation of peatlands. Kildare County Council recognises the potential economic benefit of a transition from fossil fuel-based energy production through to investment in renewable energy.

Irelands ‘Climate Action Plan 2019 – To Tackle Climate Breakdown’ represents the Government’s approach, aimed at enabling Ireland to meet its EU targets to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent between 2021 and 2030 and lays the foundations for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Kildare County Council adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the county in 2019, which takes on the role as the primary instrument at local level to: ensure a proper comprehension of the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change; bring forward the implementation of climate resilient actions in a planned and proactive manner; and ensure that climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all plans and policies and integrated into all operations and functions of Kildare County Council.

See Chapter 7