Energy West Ireland returned to PorterShed for its latest meetup, bringing together energy stakeholders for a timely conversation on one of the biggest opportunities in Ireland’s clean energy transition: District heating.

Led by Dr David Connolly and Pauline O’Reilly, the session focused on what it would take to roll out local, resilient heat networks across the region. The message was clear: district heating is no longer a future concept. It’s a practical solution Ireland can scale now, and the West has a real chance to lead the way.

A key theme was waste heat, especially from data centres. Huge volumes of usable heat are currently being released into the atmosphere and waterways. District heating changes that equation by capturing waste energy and delivering it where it’s needed, turning a major challenge into a regional advantage.

David brought the European context into sharp focus. More than 70 million people across Europe already rely on district heating. They outlined how district heating can be built using local renewable and waste heat sources, and why Galway stands out as a strong contender for early rollout, with the scale, institutions, and momentum to make it viable.

Thanks to everyone who joined in person and online, and to Yvonne Comer for moderating a strong panel discussion. And a special thanks to the Western Development Commission for supporting Energy West and helping to keep these conversations moving forward. Looking forward to the next!