Nine energy firms operating in Ireland have signed Voluntary Agreements with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to deliver energy savings to consumers, Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte, TD, has just announced. The companies include Calor, Electric Ireland (formerly ESB), Airtricity, Bord Gais, Arigna Fuels, Bord na Móna Fuels, Energia, Stafford Fuels and Vayu.
Rabbitte said this afternoon he has approved the finalisation of Voluntary Agreements between the SEAI and the aforementioned energy suppliers, which have agreed to meet energy savings targets.
The Irish Government itself has committed to reaching energy-efficiency savings of 20pc by 2020.
At the announcement, Rabbitte spoke about how energy efficiency has the potential to deliver huge financial benefits to domestic and commercial customers. He said it was “encouraging to see energy suppliers become so deeply involved in this process”.
Prof J Owen Lewis, chief executive, SEAI, touched on how the energy saving agreements represent a “great opportunity” for employment.
Rabbitte also spoke about how today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new model for service to consumers from energy suppliers.
More than 200,000 homes have been upgraded with energy-efficiency measures to date via the SEAI’s Better Energy: Homes and Better Energy: Warmer Homes programmes. Energy suppliers will now also be offering energy-efficiency upgrades to their customers.
