Wednesday, 03 September 2025
Ireland’s first Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy is set to launch in Nenagh, transforming a 10-hectare brownfield site into a hub for low-carbon innovation, training, and enterprise. Backed by €13.99 million in funding, the project aims to create 350 jobs and lead Ireland’s transition to a greener economy.
Ireland’s first Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy is set to be developed in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, marking a major step forward in the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Backed by multi-million euro funding and driven by a strong partnership of public and private stakeholders, the project will act as a national hub for innovation, training, research, and enterprise focused on sustainability.
The Centre of Excellence, officially titled SECOE – Ireland, will be located on Martyr’s Road at the site of the former Abbey Machinery yard. The project is being promoted by Tipperary County Council in collaboration with a number of key partners, including the Tipperary Energy Agency, North Tipperary Development Company, Limerick Institute of Technology, Community Power, and Siga Ltd, the company overseeing the €650 million hydroelectric project at Silvermines.
With a total approved cost of €13.99 million, and €10.49 million in funding secured through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), this pioneering initiative is designed to become a flagship model of sustainable regeneration and innovation.
The URDF is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040, aligned with the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the National Development Plan (NDP). It supports compact, sustainable urban development by regenerating underused strategic areas in Ireland’s cities and larger towns.
With a budget exceeding €2 billion, the Fund runs until 2030 and has already provisionally allocated about €1.9 billion across three rounds of funding.
The programme prioritises mixed-use and residential development within existing built-up areas to make urban centres more attractive places to live, work, invest, and visit.
URDF-funded projects span a wide range of urban revitalisation efforts, such as:
Public realm enhancements
Mixed-use and residential developments
Transportation improvements
Cultural and innovation hubs
Green infrastructure
Reuse of brownfield and derelict sites
The development will transform a 10-hectare brownfield site in the heart of Nenagh into a modern, carbon-neutral hub of activity. As part of the broader vision, the surrounding area, including Friar Street and Emmet Place, will also be revitalised to create a new town centre amenity that enhances both functionality and community engagement.
An Integrated Design Team has already been appointed to progress the design and planning. The team is led by Henry J Lyons Architects, known for placing sustainability at the centre of their projects. The wider team includes experts in civil and structural engineering, quantity surveying, conservation, fire safety, accessibility, landscape architecture, ecology, and more.
The local authority has confirmed that planning is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with the design team meeting biweekly to keep momentum.
What sets SECOE – Ireland apart is its integrated and collaborative approach. The centre will host multiple public agencies and partners working together to deliver:
Advanced training and development programmes in sustainable energy
Cutting-edge research on low-carbon and renewable technologies
Support for low-carbon social enterprises and startups
A model for carbon-neutral construction and operation
According to Cllr John Carroll, the initiative will position Tipperary as a national leader in sustainable energy innovation. He added that the facility will serve as Ireland’s first carbon-neutral building, with the potential to create 350 jobs over a 10-year period.
First announced in June 2020, the SECOE project is now moving toward a transformative phase. It combines environmental leadership, economic regeneration, and regional collaboration to create a truly impactful legacy for Nenagh and beyond.
By integrating world-class design, strategic partnerships, and community-led goals, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy will not only help Ireland meet its climate targets but also create lasting opportunities for innovation and employment in the heart of Tipperary.
The Nenagh Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy represents a transformative investment in Ireland’s climate and innovation future. As the first facility of its kind in the country, it will not only drive low-carbon research and enterprise but also rejuvenate the town centre, create jobs, and position Tipperary as a national leader in sustainable development. Through strong partnerships, strategic funding, and community integration, this project sets a benchmark for how rural regeneration and climate action can go hand in hand.
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