Highlights
- Ireland's large energy users are making progress on the road to 2030 decarbonisation targets - 14.7% reduction achieved towards 35% target by 2030.
- SEAI provided 60 million in Government funded industry grants since 2022 to support emissions reduction investments of approximately 250 million.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today (Nov 7) announced that members of its Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) have achieved a 14.7% reduction in emissions since 2018, a major milestone as the network marks three decades of partnership between Irish industry and government in improving energy performance, reducing emissions and building competitiveness. The announcement was made at SEAI's Industry Decarbonisation Conference marking the network's 30-year anniversary, in Trinity College Dublin on Thursday.
LIEN includes the majority of Ireland's large industrial companies; all working to improve energy performance and reduce emissions. Analysis has shown that companies who are part of the network are delivering greater energy efficiency performance, and greater emission reduction than companies outside the network. Last year, LIEN members emitted 4.6 million tonnes of CO (approximately 8% of the national total). The network recorded 386 GWh of verified energy savings, avoided 88,000 tonnes of CO , and realised 36 million in cost savings through enhanced energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures.
Established in 1995, following a successful pilot with 10 companies, LIEN now includes more than 200 companies, employing over 140,000 people and collectively responsible for 2.2 billion in annual energy spend. The network now represents about 17% of Ireland's total primary energy
William Walsh, CEO at SEAI said:
This is a remarkable result from Ireland's largest energy users. These 200 companies include most major employers in the state. They are the industry leaders, who have shown incredible resilience in the face of enormous challenges over the past number of years. These results show they are rising to the challenge once again. Moving away from fossil fuels is essential for future competitiveness and security. It's also important for the bottom line. Members of the Large Industry Energy Network understand this and together, they saved over 35 million in reduced energy bills last year. We've more work to do, and I've no doubt members of LIEN will continue to realise the potential of this really important work.William Walsh, CEO at SEAI
Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications added
SEAI's Large Industry Energy Network shows what's possible when Irish industry leads on sustainability. The achievements of its members over 30 years demonstrates that energy efficiency, decarbonisation and competitiveness go hand in hand. The next decade of collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst LIEN members will be critical as Ireland advances toward its 2030 target of a 35% reduction in industrial emissions.Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
A special SEAI Industry Decarbonisation Conference took place at Trinity Business School yesterday which marked 30 years of LIEN. Network members Irish Distillers, Astellas, Kepak and other major companies outlined impactful projects which are delivering reductions in energy costs and emissions. Attendees also heard from SEAI, IDA and Enterprise Ireland about the significant supports available for low carbon investments, and the type of projects already being supported.
Speakers from Deloitte, Goodbody Clearstream, IBEC and other business sustainability strategy experts outlined the changing business case for decarbonisation in industry, which has a growing focus on competitiveness and energy resilience.
