SEAI calls on organisations to build on €1billion energy savings
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today called on organisations to build on the €1 billion in energy savings that have already been achieved by entrants to the Sustainable Energy Awards in the last 13 years. Launching the Awards today with new title sponsor Enprova in Dublin, SEAI urged organisations, businesses or communities who have achieved energy savings through efficiency or renewable energy to enter the Sustainable Energy Awards.
The Awards are open to large and small projects from the island of Ireland. Innovative projects with high replication potential are invited in nine categories including: large and small business, community, public sector, innovation, research, leadership, buildings and design.
William Walsh, Interim Chief Executive, SEAI, said: “Sustainable energy is no longer a niche topic with businesses and public bodies already to the fore in a national movement towards clean energy and energy savings. The Sustainable Energy Awards reward these great achievements and highlight the extent to which energy efficiency makes economic sense. There is lots of great work being done in businesses and communities right across Ireland, and I’d encourage people to enter the Awards and get recognised for their efforts.”
Last year, EPS Group took the Leadership Award, having co-ordinated several community outreach projects around the country. Its efforts saw 81 community and voluntary groups including addiction centres, sheltered housing, sports clubs and schools benefit from almost €2million in funding for energy saving projects. OpenHydro won the Innovation Award for its development of an open centre tidal turbine with such a clever design that the 40 meter device can be fully deployed at sea in less than six hours. Foxrock Golf Club took the Small Business Award last year after implementing an energy plan which involved heating and insulation upgrades and improving energy awareness among staff, players and visitors.
Commenting on the impact of the win, Rachel Widdis Cambay from Foxrock Golf Club said: “We were delighted to win a Sustainable Energy Award last year. Given that we had only recently embarked on our sustainable energy journey, it recognised the efforts of the staff in improving the energy efficiency of the club. It has given us the momentum to continue and further improve the energy performance of our business and deliver more cost savings while also greening our business.”
Further information on the 2016 Sustainable Energy Awards can be found on SEAI’s website www.seai.ie/energyawards. Closing date for entries is Friday 20th May 2016. Overall winners will be announced at a gala event in Dublin in November 2016.
