Agri-food firms lead by example
They are part of the Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN), whose member companies account for 42% of the industrial sector’s primary energy requirement, which is 9% of the national total.
Carbery Group, Glanbia, Dairygold, Dawn Meats, Irish Sugar, Lakeland Diaries, Pure Fresh Diaries and Western Proteins are among the companies who participate in the programme.
Established eight years ago by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), LIEN is a voluntary networking initiative, aimed at improving the management and efficient use of energy in industry.
SEI, launching the LIEN annual report yesterday, announced that savings of almost 7 million and reductions in emissions of CO2 of 44,000 tonnes were achieved by participating companies in 2003.
It is estimated that €60m in energy costs have been saved by members since the programme began. The corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions was 450,000 tonnes.
SEI chief executive David Taylor said the report demonstrates how a strategic partnership can deliver greater energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately contribute profit to the bottom line of companies.
The achievements of the LIEN members continue to contribute to the competitiveness of the economy as a whole.
Industry, through the programme, is leading by example in the drive towards achieving a lower carbon economy.
SEI’s own research which recently profiled the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of Irish industry revealed that 18% of enterprises are responsible for 90% of industrial energy consumption.
Overall, industry now accounts for less than 20% of all energy related CO2 emissions in Ireland of which about 54% are indirect and are associated with electricity generation.
