Latest Laois Event: Ballykilcavan Brewing Co. winner at SEAI Energy Awards

Ballykilcavan Brewing Company win the Small and Medium Business award. 

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) yesterday announced the winners of the 2023 SEAI Energy Awards, with Ballykilcavan Brewing Company taking the prize for best Small and Medium Business. 

Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally, Co. Laois uses 100% Irish barley grown on their own farm to create their beer. The sustainable energy activities of the brewery focus on decarbonising the beer production process with the primary goal of reducing cost and achieving zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of 2024. They have installed solar panel arrays, increasing power generation by 306% and reducing energy imports from the grid by 32.7% per litre of beer produced. Switching to a 100% renewable energy supplier, they have had a 77% reduction in the overall carbon footprint of the brewery compared to the previous year. 

The impact on the business has been significant cost savings, with energy expenditure reduced to 40% of previous levels. The success of this project is motivating them to plan for the next phase with the hydro installation. 

This year, there were 114 applications to the SEAI Awards, 40 finalists, who collectively reduced energy consumption by 16% saving €50 million in energy spend. The renewable energy produced by the 2023 entrants is equivalent to powering over 400,000 homes per year. 

Hosted by journalist Sinead Ryan, this year’s ceremony saw a total of thirteen awards presented to individuals, businesses, communities, and public sector organisations in recognition of their commitment and dedication to sustainable energy and climate action.  

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said:   

“I want to congratulate the entrants and winners of this year’s SEAI Energy Awards for their commitment to sustainable energy and their role in fighting for a cleaner energy future for us all. The finalists – indeed all the applicants this year – give an insight into the technical capacity, the innovation, the drive, and the vision that is powering an energy transformation right across the country, in businesses and in communities. The calibre of individuals and organisations that have taken part in this prestigious event over the past 20 years gives me great confidence when it comes to meeting our ambitious but achievable climate targets. 

CEO of SEAI, William Walsh, said:  

“Over the past twenty years we have seen incredible innovation and momentum in sustainable energy. And today at the 20th SEAI Energy Awards, we are celebrating the achievements of entrants and their contribution to a sustainable energy future. We are here to recognise those leading the energy revolution in their respective sectors, providing exemplary leadership in reducing Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels.” 

Other 2023 SEAI Energy Award winners include;  

·               Ahascragh Distillers Ltd (Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy) 

·               Lidl (Large Business) 

·               Inland Fisheries Ireland (Leadership in public sector decarbonisation and energy efficiency) 

·               University of Galway (Energy in Buildings) 

·               Bus Éireann (Transport) 

·               SSE Airtricity Energy Services/Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (Residential Energy Upgrades) 

·               Symphony Energy (Sustainability via Digital Technologies in Construction and Buildings). 

For full details on all winning projects, visit www.seai.ie.