"Organisations entering this year's Sustainable Energy Awards have achieved savings of €28 million securing vital Irish jobs." This was the message from Dr. Brian Motherway, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), as the winners of the competition were announced at a gala Awards ceremony in Dublin.

Hosted by SEAI and sponsored by Electric Ireland, the ninth annual Awards saw Stewarts Care in Dublin and Tyndall National Institute, Cork pick up the top award of Outstanding Leadership in Energy Management.

According to Dr. Motherway: "What we are now seeing is a positive effect on business as more and more companies, and indeed public bodies, are working to reduce their energy costs. Over ten thousand people are employed in the organisations that entered the Sustainable Energy Awards this year and they are all active proof that sustainable energy is important, not only from a cost saving perspective, but also for protecting vital Irish jobs."

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The Sustainable Energy Awards reward excellence in energy management by organisations of all sizes and this year attracted almost 100 entries. Stewarts Care won the Award for their multi-faceted retrofit programme, funded through an energy performance contract with Dalkia, saving 11% in energy costs. Tyndall implemented an intensive energy reduction programme focussing on the site’s significant energy users which has resulted in a 30% reduction in energy use and a zero carbon impact from its new 5,500m2 building.

Other notable winners included: Astellas Ireland, winner of the Renewable Energy Systems Award, for the installation of a wood chip boiler displacing 90% of its oil consumption and a wind turbine offsetting over 20% of imported electricity; and the Department of Education and Skills for a new post primary school facility, Colaiste Choilm, in Tullamore. The school which acquired an A2 rating is 40% more efficient than a standard school and will serve as a test facility for the Department’s school building programme.

Congratulating the 2012 Award winners, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Mr Pat Rabbitte, T.D., said: "The organisations that have been showcased through the Sustainable Energy Awards are to be commended for their innovation, determination and ultimately success in bringing about meaningful cost and CO2 savings. Initiating change, as many of these companies have, can be very difficult not least in challenging economic circumstances. But I hope these organisations can truly appreciate the benefits of what they've achieved and I encourage others to learn from their example."

(CD/GK)