The SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Fourteen years on, the Awards continue to establish a benchmark in energy best practice as exciting and innovative sustainable energy solutions and practices emerge. Be part of this ambitious group of energy leaders working towards a low carbon energy future for Ireland. Enter the Sustainable Energy Awards!

Award categories


Categories are open to individuals, groups, businesses or organisations, public and private sector, from either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Entries can include any combination of electricity, heat or transport initiatives.
  • Large Business – Energy Management
Aimed at organisations with an energy spend over €0.5 million that have embraced structured energy management and have taken steps to incorporate it into the day-to-day running of their business. Entrants should demonstrate successful motivation of decision makers and energy users to support effective energy efficiency initiatives
  • Large Business – Energy Project
Aimed at organisations with an energy spend over €0.5 million that have gone beyond best practice in new or upgrade technology deployments or management solutions. Projects in transport and effective use of renewable technologies are also eligible.
  • Small Business
Aimed at small to medium industrial / commercial businesses with an energy spend under €0.5 million that go beyond best practice in new or upgrade technology deployments or energy management solutions. Projects demonstrating low-energy buildings and effective use of renewable technologies are also eligible.
  • Public Sector
Aimed at public sector organisations that go beyond best practice in new or upgrade technology deployments or energy management solutions. Equally public bodies that have embraced structured energy management and have taken steps to incorporate it into the day-to-day running of their business are also encouraged. Projects demonstrating low energy buildings and effective use of renewable technologies are also eligible.
  • Community
Aimed at public, private and voluntary organisations engaged in sustainable energy initiatives at a local level. This award recognises partnerships, groups and organisations delivering energy savings and socio-economic benefits in their community. Projects or programmes might include energy efficiency retrofit, renewable energy upgrades or behavioural change initiatives.
  • Design (including Buildings)
Aimed at the design community who embrace the pursuit of sustainable energy in a user-centred design solution. Projects should demonstrate how the design explicitly achieves greater sustainability in our energy system, or inspires the user / occupant to be more sustainable in their energy use, or both. Entrants might include architects with innovative buildings, industrial engineers with clever products, or anyone who can stimulate our energy transition through inspiring and beautiful design. Design projects must be real and tangible and not simply a prototype. If a service, it must be available.
  • Research
Aimed at organisations, individuals, academia, start-ups and inventors who have researched the potential for future energy demand reduction, enhanced renewable energy use or innovative energy management practices. Entrants will detail the problem researched, the research and development outcome and the potential impact. Projects might include the development of new systems, services, products or approaches that are likely to reduce future fossil fuel use. In support of furthering the research work of the winning entry, SEAI is offering the winner a €10,000 bursary prize
  • Energy Team/Energy Manager of the Year
Aimed at individuals, teams or organisations, across the public, private and voluntary sectors, who have demonstrated leadership and ambition in implementing energy management. Celebrating outstanding and continued success, entrants should have delivered significant energy achievements for their organisations over a prolonged period. Among the criteria are the degree influence and replication potential beyond their organisational boundaries.

How to enter


Winning entries will go well beyond the norms of sustainable energy best practice, excelling in some or all of these areas:
  • Achieving multiple tangible benefits
  • Achieving significant energy demand reduction or clean energy deployment
  • Robust implementation approach
  • High levels of innovation
  • Strong potential for replication 
For more details and to find out about last year’s winners, see www.seai.ie/energyawards. Join the conversation on Twitter: #SEAIAwards17 Entry forms must be completed online before Friday 9th June 2017 at www.seai.ie/energyawards. Application Guidance Notes are also available online. Judging involves a process of shortlisting and final review and selection by expert and independent judging panels. Successful finalists will be invited to a black-tie gala event in Dublin on 9 November 2017, where the winners will be announced. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. SEAI would like to thank the Sustainable Energy Awards 2017 category sponsors:
  • Enprova
  • ESB Smart Energy Services
  • Gas Networks Ireland