Mayo council homes to get free hot water from surplus wind energy

Mayo County Council has launched a pilot scheme this week that will give free hot water to more than 25 council homes.

The project is a partnership between the council and the charity EnergyCloud.

It uses surplus wind energy from the grid that would otherwise go to waste.

A device known as a smart switch is fitted to a home's immersion.

It is remotely connected to an energy supply.

When surplus wind energy is available, the switch heats a tank of water at no extra cost to the household.

The scheme is aimed at households identified as being at risk of energy poverty.

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy raised a motion at a council meeting in 2025 calling for the council to engage with EnergyCloud about bringing the scheme to Mayo.

She acknowledged early talks between Senator Mark Duffy and EnergyCloud.

She also praised the work done by council housing staff to bring the project to completion.

Cllr Duffy said the first phase was limited in size but should be built on.

"The EnergyCloud scheme is focused on households identified as being at risk of energy poverty.

Phase One is a small-scale pilot scheme that gives us an opportunity to see what is possible," she said.

"I would love to see the scheme extended to private homes, including households that do not qualify for existing supports and are struggling with the cost of energy.

There is also an opportunity here to potentially extend the scheme to our elderly constituents."

Similar schemes already operate elsewhere in Ireland.

The Age Friendly programme in Sligo launched an EnergyCloud scheme to assist older people.

Housing organisations and charities have also taken part in energy-saving projects in other parts of the country.

The council hopes the pilot will show how the initiative can be developed and brought to more households across Mayo.