SEAI €158m spend

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

SEAI announces record year for sustainable investment

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland recently announced its achievements for 2021, detailing €196 million of Government investment in Ireland’s sustainable energy transition, making it a record year. As a result, more than 11,300 homes are more comfortable and efficient, there are 13,400 more EVs in use, 600 communities are planning their own clean energy transition, the public sector is now 29% more energy efficient and thousands of businesses are more competitive.

Speaking about the results, SEAI Chief Executive William Walsh said: “The last year has seen a further increase in activity across our programmes, grants and services. We now have strong momentum and an appetite for change among businesses, the public sector, communities and home and vehicle owners. This comes at a vital time as the challenge ahead is unprecedented. Only sustained year-on-year emissions reductions will see us meet our targets and make our national contribution to the global aim of limiting warming to 1.5º. Our ambition over the next decade is to far outstrip the rates of change previously achieved. “We have had significant success in decarbonising electricity but the shift towards renewable energy and energy efficient technologies has not been fast enough to curb rising greenhouse gas emissions from heat and transport activities. As we begin to emerge from the pandemic in 2022, it’s likely that much of the emissions reductions that occurred due to lock-down measures and other COVID impacts will be eliminated.

“We have learned a lot from past efforts. We continue to work with all stakeholders to optimise schemes and improve offerings to drive emissions reductions from our energy system. We now engage with almost every sector of Irish life to support the necessary changes. This is no time to delay. We encourage businesses of all sizes and all citizens to engage in the conversations, to utilise existing supports and make whatever changes they can to move away from fossil fuel use now.

“The demands on Ireland’s energy and environment require us to work at pace and to deliver even greater results. That is what we intend to do. Not just because it is our mission but because it will provide a better life for individuals, businesses and communities long into the future. If we achieve our mission, our legacy will be a healthy Ireland and a healthy planet for future generations.”

We encourage businesses of all sizes and all citizens to engage in the conversations, utilise existing supports and make whatever changes they can to move away from fossil fuel use now.