Construction BUSINESS

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recently announced the winners of its Sustainable Energy Awards at a gala event which saw Durkan Residential and Energy Communities Tipperary Co-Op receive awards. The Awards recognise excellence in energy management in businesses, communities and public sector organisations.

Durkan Residential Ltd, a Dublin based private housing developer who has focused on developing cost effective methods for building energy efficient houses, won the Energy in Design Category. They have built the largest certified Passive House development in Ireland.  Each house takes only 12 weeks to build and is extremely cost effective to run. The 58 houses meet Ireland’s 2020 Near Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) targets for performance and surpass the proposed Building Regulation standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Energy Communities Tipperary Co-operative CLG, which brings twelve communities in Tipperary together in a co-operative to carry out deep retrofits in homes, won the Community Award. The aim of the project was to save energy, save money, create warm homes and generate jobs. Their action has resulted home owners benefiting from higher levels of comfort, with €4 million generated in energy cost savings to date.

Jim Gannon, Chief Executive of SEAI, said: “The SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards are all about showcasing the excellent work that is happening around the country as businesses, communities and public bodies push the boundaries in energy efficiency and the switch to clean energy. This is especially the case where climate change is at the forefront of the news agenda, particularly as countries gather for climate talks at COP23 in Bonn right now. The 120 entrants to the Awards are playing their part and I commend the winners on their outstanding achievements in saving energy.”

This is the 14th year of the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards and entrants to the eight categories demonstrated savings of over €27 million. Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) took away the top prize for Energy Team of the Year. WIT impressed judges with its organisation wide approach to saving energy, with staff and students working together it has surpassed its 33% energy efficiency target and is saving an impressive €300,000 per year on energy bills.

For full details on all winning projects, visit www.seai.ie

CAPTION:

Pictured from left: Julie O’Neill, Chair of SEAI; with winners of the Design Award, Barry Durkan and Kevin Durkan of Durkan Residential; and Jim Gannon, Chief Executive of SEAI; at the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards 2017.