€85m invested in energy retrofits helped maintain 3,000 jobs in 2013

Last year saw the Better Energy programme surpass the landmark of 250,000 homes upgraded and the number of homes with a Building Energy Rating (BER) reach 420,000, meaning one in four homes in Ireland now has a BER. That is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who today announced their programme achievements for 2013 which helped maintain 3,000 jobs and saw €85m invested in energy retrofit projects.

Making the announcement, Dr Brian Motherway, SEAI CEO said that he believes that energy efficiency has become a widely understood issue that many people have embraced.

Continuing he said, “The sustainable energy sector is vibrant and fast moving. Last year we helped Irish businesses find €43m in energy cost savings. We also saw over 26,000 homes upgraded, which means that as of now one in seven of all Irish homes have been upgraded to reduce their energy bills. We’re also seeing this replicated across the public sector. SEAI’s work with public bodies has already saved the exchequer €40 million through energy efficiency.”

Concluding Dr Motherway said “With the EU committed to a 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 we have to maintain momentum in achieving greater energy efficiency and exploiting our uniquely rich renewable energy resources.  As widespread debate about energy issues in Ireland continues, it is important we remind ourselves how much economic and social gains have already been achieved through both renewables and energy efficiency.”

SEAI 2013 Achievements included:

• Better Energy grants of €45m towards energy efficiency upgrades in 26,400 homes and almost 300 public and community facilities.
• Total investment in Better Energy upgrade works of €85m supporting 2,300 jobs
• 106,000 Building Energy Ratings published (97,000 residential and 9,000 non-residential)
• 50 public sector bodies with total energy spend of more than €420m now enrolled in partnership programme
• 160 large industry energy network members made savings of €40m
• 300 energy training sessions for SMEs identifying savings of up to €3m
• 127 Energy Awards nominees achieving savings of €23m
• €1.2m support provided to 11 Ocean energy projects
• €0.25m grants put 60 more electric vehicles on the road