SSE Airtricity has announced a €2.5 million donation which will support up to 10,000 fuel poor homes across Ireland through its partnership with EnergyCloud Ireland.

The donation to EnergyCloud will enable thousands of families experiencing fuel poverty nationwide to have their homes fitted with smart technology that uses surplus renewable energy – which would be otherwise wasted – to heat tanks of water for free.

EnergyCloud works with Approved Housing Bodies and Local Authorities to enable their homes to receive surplus renewable energy and the €2.5 million from SSE Airtricity will support the rollout and installation of the equipment to do this, over the coming months. The delivery of the supports will be managed by a project team from SSE Airtricity and EnergyCloud.

Fuel poverty impacts thousands of Irish families every day and in 2020, according to figures from Government, 1,448 GWh of zero carbon energy from wind generation alone was dispatched down.

Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity said:

“SSE Airtricity has been working with EnergyCloud since its foundation, recognising the innovative role that it plays in supporting fuel poor households. At SSE Airtricity we have committed to helping those who need it most and we’re delighted today to be expanding our support for EnergyCloud, helping to provide much needed relief to homes across Ireland who are experiencing fuel poverty while also delivering a more sustainable use of green energy for the future.

EnergyCloud’s work also aligns to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan in helping to deliver 80% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. No-one should be left behind on the journey to net zero and we value having a partnership with this organisation that shares in our values of supporting consumers and providing greater access to sustainable, clean energy.”

EnergyCloud Ireland Chairperson Gabriel D’Arcy said:

“This is a very significant commitment from SSE Airtricity and is reflective of the leadership shown by the company in rolling out the original EnergyCloud pilot project with Clúid Housing. EnergyCloud in Ireland has an important role to play in helping to support the decarbonisation of our society while helping to tackle energy poverty.

“SSE Airtricity’s commitment will have a significant impact for the families that will now be able to join the EnergyCloud scheme. We know from the positive feedback from families who are on the EnergyCloud scheme that they greatly value the simplicity of the system for them and with this support from SSE we can support up to 10,000 more families. EnergyCloud Ireland looks forward to rolling out this programme in partnership with the SSE team and our partners across a range of Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.”

The donation announced by SSE Airtricity today follows the previously announced commitment to forego profits this financial year and invest in supporting customers around Ireland who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The utility has also established a €25 million customer support fund to help its customers deal with the impacts of inflation and a global energy crisis.