Council and Tipp Energy Agency for awards

Tipperary County Council and Tipperary Energy Agency have been selected as finalists of the 2015 Sustainable Energy Awards. Now in its 12th year, the Awards encourage and reward excellence in energy management and are organised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and sponsored by Electric Ireland and Enprova.
Tipperary County Council developed a Strategic Energy Management Plan following the merger of North and South Tipperary County Councils. They developed of a range of performance indicators to measure progress against the mandated energy efficiency target of 33% by 2020. Tipperary County Council is the leading local authority and has achieved 18% of its 33% target. They have a strong track record in the delivery of renewables which includes large biomass boilers in leisure centres, heat pumps in the Civic Offices and other public buildings, two micro wind turbines at motorway junctions, two CHP engines in Clonmel and Tipperary Town pools, nine buildings supplied by solar PV panels, which has generated large interest with a view to replication.
Tipperary County Council has been supported by Tipperary Energy Agency in the delivery of the measures and this strong partnership is key to their success. The main features for the future development of renewable energy in the county include a wind energy feasibility shortlist of sites, continued rollout of solar PV, rollout of EVs in the council, and further rollout of heat pumps and biomass boilers.
Tipperary Energy Agency has been successfully supporting Tipperary to reduce its energy demand for 17 years. The agency has a proven ability in enabling people, communities and the public sector to become more sustainable in their energy use.
As a result of our work, Tipperary County Council continues to be a leading local authority in energy performance. Our efforts have resulted in pioneering projects such as Ireland’s only community operated wind farm in Templederry, Ireland’s first Ecovillage in Cloughjordan, and a massive Photovoltaic project across nine public buildings. We have spearheaded major housing retrofit schemes and our county’s adoption of biomass has resulted in €1.1m being spent on local fuel versus €2.5m on imported oil.
We have identified a €500m sustainable energy opportunity for the county and will continue to work to accelerate the transition of Tipperary to a low carbon future.
Winners will be announced at a gala event on November 19th in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.
This year, as part of the judging process, the Leadership category is open to an online public vote. Successful finalists are now being showcased on the SEAI website and are currently seeking votes from the public. Organisations include Applegreen, AIB, Largo Foods, Collite, EPS, Tipperary Energy Agency and UCC Campus. You have until Monday 2nd November to vote for your winner at www.seai.ie. To view the full list of finalists for the Sustainable Energy Awards 2015 and read more on their projects visit: www.seai.ie/energyawards