The RE-SPRINGS project was officially launched in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal (Ireland), bringing together project partners from Finland, Sweden and Ireland and stakeholders for a two-day kick-off meeting and technical workshop.
Led by ERNACT and funded through the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme, RE-SPRINGS will help rural communities strengthen energy resilience, accelerate innovation and develop practical solutions for integrating renewable energy.
The launch event provided an opportunity for partners to share knowledge, discuss common challenges and explore opportunities for rural energy integration through presentations, panel discussions and co-design workshops.
On the second day, partners visited Donegal County Council's pilot site at AtlanFish Ltd., where they examined how surplus energy from the seafood processing industry could potentially support nearby public infrastructure.
Discussions focused on innovative approaches including private wire connections, local energy sharing, power-to-heat solutions and wastewater heat recovery.
The event marked an important first step for the partnership, establishing a shared vision and roadmap for delivering sustainable energy solutions that create lasting benefits for rural communities across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.