Irish-based businesses engaged in advanced energy management are avoiding €150 million in energy costs and are setting world class standards, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since its launch in June 2011, over 190 organisations have become certified to the new International Energy Management Standard ISO 50001 and Ireland has approximately one third of this number achieving the equivalent standard already.
Many of the 65 Irish sites accredited belong to energy intensive multinationals such as Intel, Pfizer, Glanbia and Boliden Tara Mines, who are now sharing their knowledge on energy management with their global operations. Public bodies are also achieving firsts in energy management with University College Cork recently becoming the first university worldwide to achieve ISO 50001.
It is recognised that Ireland is ahead of the international trend in energy management and with the global market for this knowledge and expertise growing, Ireland is winning business abroad. It is estimated that energy management standards could influence 60% of the world’s energy use and Irish businesses in this sector are uniquely positioned to benefit.