€17m in demonstrated energy savings recorded by last year’s entrants
May 6th 2009

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has commenced its annual search for Ireland’s most energy efficient businesses with the launch of the Sustainable Energy Awards 2009. The Awards, organised by SEI in association with ESB Customer Supply, recognise the achievements of Irish businesses succeeding in their efforts to cut energy costs and improve environmental performance.

Entrants to the 2008 Awards demonstrated energy savings of over €17m, with some projects delivering as much as 40% energy cost reductions. The 2009 Awards were launched at a special event today in Athlone where attendees heard presentations on a selection of last year’s winning projects.

Professor J. Owen Lewis, chief executive, SEI, said; “Once again we are inviting businesses across the island of Ireland to show us how they are leading by example in energy cost reduction. In these times the issue is more important than ever – and our Award winners continue to show that real savings are possible.”

Entries to the Awards, open to all businesses and public sector bodies, span a range of sustainable energy categories from employee awareness programmes to sustainable buildings and renewable energy. Entrants, both large and small, have typically delivered energy savings of 20% or more as a result of their energy management activities. The Sustainable Energy Awards highlight these successes and allow others to replicate their success.   

“All of our work with Irish business is proving that energy savings are available, often at low cost. It is clear that energy and money is being wasted. Many businesses are now acting to address this, but there is still plenty to do. Our Awards winners are showing what is possible.” added Professor Lewis.

Pat Fenlon, general manager, ESB Customer Supply, said: “We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with Sustainable Energy Ireland and our customers to encourage energy efficient behaviour as it plays such an important part in ensuring that customers get the best value from their electricity usage as well as being important in protecting the environment for future generations.”

Among last year’s winners were Crown Paints Ireland, who won with a project that reduced lighting energy use by 40%; Kevin Geoghegan, Intel Ireland won Energy Manager of the Year for Large Industry, achieving  a 20% reduction in gas consumption in just 3 years; and Jerry Dwyer, of Lee Strand Co-Operative Creamery, was award Energy Manager of the Year in the SME category at the 2008 Awards, for achieving an average of €50,000 energy cost savings per year since 1998.

Further details on the Sustainable Energy Awards 2009 can be found on SEI’s website at www.sei.ie/energyawards

Awards Categories

Category A:        Leading Energy Efficiency Project

Category B:        Pioneering Renewable Energy Project

Category C:        Sustainable Energy Building Excellence

Category D:        Inspiring Energy Awareness Campaign

Category E:         Excellence in Coordinated Energy Management Programme

Category F:         Outstanding Energy Manager of the Year

Complete an entry form for each category entered. Include the reference number on your entry form that was allocated on completion of your expression of interest form on the website. Email the completed entry form to awards@sei.ie by 5pm Friday 29th May 2009.