LookWest News: West Businesses leading Energy Efficiency Drive

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The Irish economy recorded savings of €750 million in 2007 as a result of energy efficiency measures undertaken since 1995. The Western Region is leading the way with 2 businesses gaining “Highly Commended” awards in the 2008 Sustainable Energy Awards for their energy efficient approach to business.

A new report, Energy Efficiency in Ireland 2009, published by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) shows that Ireland performed better than the European average for energy efficiency gains in both the residential and industrial sectors.

Highlights:

• Total final consumption of energy in the economy would have been 8.4% higher in 2007 were it not for energy efficiency improvements made since 1995.
• Energy efficiency for industry improved by 16% between 1995 and 2007
• Energy efficiency for the residential sector improved by 15% in the same period
• Despite the fact that transport energy use grew faster than the economy between 1995 and 2007, energy efficiency in the sector improved slightly by 1.4%.

Professor Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, SEI, said; “Energy efficiency is a key element of Ireland’s energy and economic policy and today’s report underlines the important role it plays. The carbon emissions savings made as a result of energy efficiency measures greatly exceed the contribution from renewable energy. It’s encouraging to know that through the recently launched National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), Ireland can further build on this significant achievement and the €750 million in savings recorded in 2007 could be greatly exceeded in future years.”

SEI’s annual Sustainable Energy Awards encourage, recognise and reward excellence in energy management among energy users of all sizes.  In 2008 two businesses from the Western Region gained “highly commended” awards  for their energy efficient approaches to business.

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