Water treatment specialist EPS Group scooped a prestigious accolade at the Sustainable Energy Awards.

The Irish firm won the Leadership Award after it co-ordinated several community outreach projects around the country.

Its efforts saw 81 community and voluntary groups including addiction centres, sheltered housing, sports clubs and schools benefit from almost €2million in funding for energy saving projects.

Presented by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and sponsored by Electric Ireland and Enprova, the Awards recognise excellence in energy in businesses, communities and public sector organisations.

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OpenHydro won the GlenDimplex sponsored Innovation Award for its development of an open centre tidal turbine with such a clever design that the 40 meter device can be fully deployed at sea in less than six hours.

Mr Alex White TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, said: "The sustainable energy activities we are recognising through these awards are making an important contribution to our economic recovery. While energy demand will increase to supply Ireland's growing economic activity, the industry has worked hard to break the rigid 'one-to-one' link between increased economic output and increased energy demand. Our energy is now delivered and utilised much more efficiently and intelligently than in the past. The Sustainable Energy Awards winners and finalists demonstrate the benefits to our society of making our homes and businesses more comfortable and cheaper to run, while also benefitting the environment."

(CD/LM)