Authority plays a leading role in Ireland’s sustainable energy drive
Media Release
1st March, 2011
~ 150,000 enquiries from public during 2010 ~
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is pleased to announce that 2010 was a year of success and significant achievement across the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy research.
Key highlights for 2010:
- Targets for the Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme were exceeded – almost 46,000 homes received HES grants to the value of over €45 million
- Over 90,000 Building Efficiency Ratings (BERs) completed
- 5,000 thousand jobs supported through our domestic grant programmes
- Companies engaged with SEAI business programmes avoided almost €25 million in energy costs
- 14 major public sector bodies, accounting for almost half of total public sector energy spend, formally committed to Energy Efficiency Partnerships
- 20 Ocean Energy projects now being supported to the value of €5.5 million
- Over 300 research, development and deployment projects supported to the value of €10 million
- Produced a number of important studies and reports such as energy price tracking renewable energy statistics, energy 2050 roadmaps and research on home energy upgrades
- Dealt with 150,000 enquiries from the public and had 1.2 million visits to our website www.seai.ie
Commenting on the year in review, Professor J. Owen Lewis, Chief Executive of SEAI said:
“One year into our ambitious five year strategic plan, we have made significant strides to deliver on our sustainable energy goals. We are seeing positive results right across the board as renewable energy continues to grow and energy efficiency improves across all sectors. The sustainable energy sector is now well established and is a significant employer. I am confident that further significant progress will be made in 2011.”
The Authority notes the increased appreciation of energy efficiency in Ireland, as up to 800 individuals call SEAI on a daily basis to enquire about energy in their homes and businesses and how best to reduce their energy bills.
With the challenging economic conditions fuel poverty continues to be an issue for many. In 2010 SEAI delivered the upgrade of over 24,000 low-income homes under the Government’s Warmer Homes Scheme.
The BER programme which assists those buying or renting properties to make informed choices, continued to build momentum with a further 90,600 BERs published in 2010.
Working closely with SEAI in 2010, industry and the public sector have continued to seriously tackle energy wastage. Under the Energy Efficiency Fund, €8 million was invested on 61 exemplary energy efficiency retrofit projects in both business and public sectors. For every euro granted by the Government under this scheme, €10 in savings will be delivered.
SEAI continued to enhance its relationships and cooperation with large energy users. The Large Industry Energy Network membership grew from 135 companies in 2009 to 152 in 2010, now accounting for approximately 70% of industrial energy use in Ireland.
The penetration of renewable energy sources continues to be successful with renewable energy usage growing by 15% per annum on average between 2005 and 2009. Within this broad area, ocean technologies show strong promise with a total of 20 ocean energy projects now being funded through SEAI. In April, SEAI announced its plans to develop a national wave energy test-site off the coast of Co. Mayo which will allow for the testing and demonstrating of full-scale wave energy systems and technologies in which Ireland is fortunate in having the world’s greatest resource.
In conclusion, Professor Lewis said: “Irish society recognises the economic benefits and environmental imperative of sustainable energy, which is a win-win for all and can be a significant pillar of our economic recovery. We look forward to continuing on this ambitious journey. “
Ends
About SEAI:
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. The Authority is financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
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