Kildare County Council, renewable energy charity EnergyCloud and Microsoft have launched a pilot initiative to supply 200 social housing households in Co. Kildare with hot water powered by surplus renewable electricity that would otherwise go to waste, as reported by Irish Tech News.

Irish Tech News reported that participating households will receive an EnergyCloud-enabled smart device that automatically diverts excess renewable electricity from the grid to heat water in the home, turning wasted generation into a direct benefit for approximately 550 residents across Kildare County Council's social housing stock.

The initiative addresses a significant structural challenge in Ireland's electricity system. According to EirGrid, 11.4% of renewable wind energy and 12% of all renewable energy generated in 2025 was dispatched down, meaning it went to waste because the grid could not absorb it. On any given night, the surplus electricity wasted nationally is sufficient to heat as many as three million domestic water tanks.

Alan Wyley, CEO of EnergyCloud Ireland, said: "By putting surplus renewable energy to practical use in people's homes, we can reduce waste while delivering a real, everyday benefit for families. This project is a strong example of how local collaboration can turn unused renewable energy into meaningful impact for communities."

Sonya Kavanagh, chief executive of Kildare County Council, said the pilot puts surplus renewable energy to practical use in the home, helping to improve comfort for families while supporting the council's wider climate goals.

Lavinia Morris, general manager, EMEA Data Centre Operations at Microsoft, said: "By helping to divert renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted to homes close to our operations, this initiative will make a real difference to hundreds of people."

The scheme is being rolled out in Co. Kildare for the first time and builds on a similar initiative previously delivered by EnergyCloud and Microsoft with South Dublin County Council. Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless welcomed the initiative, noting the importance of maximising community benefits from Ireland's renewable energy transition.

EnergyCloud operates as a not-for-profit across Ireland, using technology to advance energy equality by redirecting otherwise wasted renewable generation to households that need it most.