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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has unveiled
a five-year strategic plan with a mission of transforming
Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures,
technologies and practices - and a vision of making Ireland
a recognised global leader in sustainable energy.
Sustainable energy practices are already delivering significant
savings to the Irish economy, with lowered business costs
and household energy bills resulting from efficiency measures
and reduced fossil fuel imports from our increased use of
renewable energy. Over the course of SEAI’s 5-year strategy,
new savings worth €6 billion over its lifetime will be generated
by sustainable energy actions - at the same time supporting
5,000 - 10,000 jobs every year.
The strategic plan builds on the strong foundations already
established by the Authority over the past eight years and
sets out the opportunities and actions for Ireland to become
a global leader in both the use of sustainable energy and
in the clean technology space, where Ireland already has a
considerable competitive advantage.
The goals and actions for SEAI are detailed under the key
heading areas of - electricity supply, heat supply, energy
in buildings, energy efficient products and behaviour, energy
in transport, research and innovation and policy development
and analysis.
Commenting on the strategy, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan TD,
said - "Government has set a path for Ireland's new economy
- it's green, innovative, knowledge-based and has the potential
to set Ireland apart as a leading low carbon economy in the
world. Above all, it is sustainable.
"The new economy will bring savings - the €6 billion
we can save over the lifetime of this strategy is the equivalent
of our annual fossil fuel bill. It will bring investment -
and, most importantly, jobs for our people.
"SEAI's mission for the future is truly transformational.
In the past 8 years, SEAI has grown as an organisation and
shown it can deliver real change. Today's strategy combines
vision with evidence-based policy and tested initiatives.
I wish SEAI well in the fulfilment of this vision and its
delivery on the ground."
SEAI
Chief Executive, Professor Owen Lewis said - “In the lifetime
of this strategy, I envisage that Ireland will have made substantial
further gains - in renewable electricity, in upgrading the
efficiency of buildings, in improving energy efficiency in
business. We also want to see the start of strong export-led
growth in sustainable energy products and services.
"While the strategy is focused on the future, the delivery
of it is very much based in action now. Sustainable energy
actions over the course of the next five years will deliver
total savings worth €6bn over their lifetime - and, at the
same time, support five to ten thousand jobs every year.”
He added - “And this is only the tip of the iceberg - ultimately,
we see that, within the next 15 years, Ireland will develop
a global reputation for research and development and clean
technology services and products. Within 25 years, we
envisage a national energy system totally rooted in local,
green electricity -including a thriving marine renewable energy
sector, and Ireland - will actually be exporting electricity
to Europe.
"These are the real opportunities for Ireland that will
reduce our import dependence and our emissions - while, at
the same time, creating jobs and enhancing competitiveness. ,What
is required is a commitment from all levels of society to
make this vision a reality for Ireland.”
Concluding, Professor Lewis said - “SEAI is already contributing
real benefits to Ireland now - with action centred on energy
savings, emissions reductions and, importantly, jobs. We look
forward to working with all parts of society to deliver on
the goals and actions set out in this strategy.”
The launch of the 5-year plan coincided with a name change
for the Authority. Formerly known as Sustainable Energy
Ireland (SEI), the Authority has reverted to its formal legal
name - the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
- given to it in its establishing legislation in 2002.
Download the SEAI Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015 - Click
Here
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