Construction BUSINESS

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Public Sector Energy Programme has been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious EU Sustainable Energy Awards. The programme is one of only nine shortlisted from over 200 nominations Europe-wide, with the winners to be announced at a gala event in Brussels on June 14th.

SEAI’s Public Sector Programme comprises an integrated suite of activities and supports designed to guide the public sector towards achievement of its 33% energy efficiency by 2020 target. Through the programme, Ireland’s public sector made €121 million savings and avoided 418,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2014.

The EU Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding innovation in energy efficiency and renewables. Nominees are chosen from a shortlist of the year’s most successful projects for clean, secure and efficient energy.

Speaking of the announcement, Majella Kelleher, SEAI Head of Energy Demand Management said “We are delighted at the recognition from our international peers for the sterling efforts of our colleagues and partners across the public sector, for whom the public acclaim is hard earned and well deserved”.

Kelleher added: “The benefits of the Public Sector Programme are significant. Ireland gets significantly reduced energy expenditure meaning potentially more money for public services and all the time contributing to the transition to a low carbon economy. Remember, the only way forward for the whole country at this stage is to move away from fossil fuels through greater energy efficiency and utilising our abundant renewable energy resources.”

An expert jury will decide the winner in each of the three categories: Businesses, Public Sector, Consumers. Ireland’s entry is up against a Green Construction Initiative in Cyprus and an exemplar sustainable energy town in Croatia.

The public can also have their say by casting their vote for the 2016 Citizens’ Award at http://eusew.eu/awards-public-vote