Solar panels are allowing communities in Laois and neighbouring counties to enjoy a heated outdoor swimming pool this summer, thanks to funding by EirGrid, the national electricity grid operator.
The Ballinakill outdoor swimming pool, which is run by local volunteers, has reopened for the summer, with solar panels now in place to heat the pool’s water to as high as 25C.
This renewable energy project was made possible by funding provided to the town through EirGrid’s Community Benefit Fund for the Laois-Kilkenny grid upgrade.
The Community Benefit Fund initiative exemplifies EirGrid’s intention to support local communities throughout the lifetime of its projects, including those situated along the line between Coolnabacky in County Laois and Ballyragget, County Kilkenny.
The Ballinakill Community Development Association (BCDA), which manages the facility, installed heat pumps in 2022 to heat the water.
However, the addition of solar panels this year will help reduce the pool’s electricity bills, while also lowering its carbon footprint.
The 46 newly-installed panels can produce around 20 kilowatts of solar energy.
As the pool is only open from June to September, any excess electricity generated during the rest of the year can be sold to the national grid.
The BCDA used its allocated funding from EirGrid’s Community Benefit Fund phase 1 to extend green energy resources at the facility by installing solar panels to run the heat-pump system for heating the outdoor swimming pool.
Declan Kennedy of the BCDA said people are travelling from neighbouring counties to make the most of the facility, which also employs 10 locals to work as lifeguards during the summer months
He also explained how this sustainability project will cut back on the facility’s running costs.
“Over the year, we’re hoping it will save us around 50% of our electricity costs, which in an average year could be €12,000 a year,” he said.
“So, we’ll save around €6,000 a year on electricity, as well as the environmental benefits.”
The Laois Kilkenny Community Benefit Fund was established by EirGrid to recognise the importance of working with communities who are closest to new transmission infrastructure being developed in the two counties.
A total of €204,600 was distributed to community groups and not-for-profit organisations in Laois and Kilkenny in Phase 1 of the fund distribution.
It is expected that €153,450 will be distributed in 2024/2025 phase 2, with the remainder of the fund released in Phase 3 of distribution in line with project progress.
Head of Public Engagement at EirGrid, Sinead Dooley, said: “This project is a great example of how communities can come together to work on renewable energy projects.
Check out EirGrid’s vide package on the swimming pool here.
“Engaging with communities is essential to our work and it is only with public support that we can achieve our climate action targets and secure a sustainable electricity supply for future generations.”
“We would like to thank the Ballinakill community for their continued support and look forward to working in partnership with many more community groups in the future,” Dooley concluded.
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