Entrants to this year's Sustainable Energy Awards have delivered savings of €100 million through innovative sustainable energy projects, it has been announced.

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

J&J Campus Ireland – a collaborative group comprising DePuy Synthes, Vison Care, Janssen Biologics and Janssen Pharmaceuticals – won the Leadership Award for its efforts towards their aim of 20% CO2 reduction by 2020.

J&J Campus Ireland have financed capital intensive energy saving projects via a global CO2 reduction fund. They now have onsite generation including wind turbine technology, woodchip boiler systems, CHP systems, a tri-generation system (CCP), a geothermal cooling loop, and an industrial heat pump system.

Congratulating the winners of this year's awards, Denis Naughten TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said: "Ireland has made significant progress in decarbonising our society in the last decade. As economic activity ramps up again, energy saving projects, like those demonstrated by entrants to the SEAI Energy Awards, are critical to keeping Ireland on the right path of reducing carbon emissions.

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"The innovative approach taken by Irish companies to secure savings and reduce their energy use highlights the talent and knowledge that we have here at home. Their potential to inspire others to make similar efficiencies and monetary gains will help Ireland not only create jobs but will put us on the map as leaders in energy management while also benefitting the environment in the process."

Jim Gannon, CEO, SEAI, added: "€100 million is the highest figure for collective savings made by companies since the Awards began 13 years ago. As CEO of SEAI, I am immensely proud of the successes achieved by the finalists in bringing innovative solutions to energy management.

"The organisations here are not only leaders domestically but globally and I commend all those who took part in the Awards on their energy achievements and encourage them to keep the momentum going and inspire others to take action."

Entries to the nine SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards categories included innovations and technology solutions spread across sectors including retail, hospitality, construction and pharma, all of which have demonstrated reductions in CO2 emissions and energy costs.

Other winners on the night included DaysE, who won the GlenDimplex sponsored Innovation award for its 'Donate As You Save' fund raising model which uses energy savings as a means of financing energy projects in non-profit organisations.

Dell EMC won the Kingspan ESB sponsored Large Business Award for its ongoing commitment to reducing energy usage through a structured energy reduction programme, saving €4.5m per annum in electricity costs alone.

Image (from left):Tim Lucey, Chief Executive, Cork County Council, Winner of The Public Sector Award; Paul Walsh, Campus Ireland Energy Lead, J&J Ireland winner of the coveted Leadership Award; and Kevin Barry, Dell EMC, winner of the Large Business Award at the 2016 SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards. Pic:Naoise Culhane.

(JP/MH)