Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to launch the eighth annual report of the Large Industry Energy Network (L.I.E.N), marking ten years of the network’s achievements. In particular I would like to welcome those five (Xerox, Cara Partners, Cuisine de France, Organon, Tegral Building Products Ltd,) organisations that are new to the network in 2005 here today. L.I.E.N goes from strength to strength, year by year.
The L.I.E.N has grown from a pilot project in 1993 and 1994, involving ten companies from varying sectors, to the current situation, where 80 of Ireland's largest industrial companies, representing over 51% of the total primary energy requirement for industry, are members. The scheme serves as an excellent example of the partnership approach that has contributed so much to the success of Ireland’s economy.
By working together, you – the largest industrial energy users in the country - in collaboration with Sustainable Energy Ireland, have made enormous reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and have made a valuable contribution to the underlying competitiveness of the State through improved efficiency. In 2004 alone, €20 million in energy costs were avoided.
Membership of L.I.E.N imposes the discipline of structured energy auditing and management and an annual statement of energy accounts. This is in essence good management practice but it also makes energy efficiency part of the “day job” for everyone involved in the organisation. L.I.E.N goes further, though, by focussing on themes within the overall brief, which enable the various aspects of good practice and awareness to be more deeply embedded in all levels of the organisation from operators up to board member.
The significant achievements of the L.I.E.N members are once again apparent in this report. It is clear that member companies are devoting considerable human and capital resources to the management of energy and emissions and the results are once again very pleasing.
The reduction of over 130,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2004 is a notable improvement on 2003 and brings the total amount saved by the network to over 580,000 tonnes since its inception, which is considerable by any standards.
This achievement would not have been possible without a strategic approach to energy management and a commitment to invest in energy efficient technologies.
Rigorous energy management is going to be even more important in the immediate future. The increasing price of energy represents a threat to business competitiveness. In this context, Energy Management is a critical tool for industry, and you as members of the L.I.E.N are exemplars for the wider industrial community as you have fully recognised that competitive advantage can accrue from being proactive and strategic in your approach to energy management
Sharing information on energy-saving technologies and on methods to maximise savings helps maintain competitiveness. The recent development of the IS 393 energy management standard is also both timely and welcome.
The continued promotion of energy efficiency and the further development of renewables remain central to my Department and the team in SEI plays a key role in this. My previous role as Minister for the Environment means that I have a particular interest in environmental sustainability and I am very keen to progress the issue of energy-efficiency. To reflect this priority, we have recently created within my Department, a new division which will focus on this issue alone.
Together with SEI, one of the tasks I will be setting is the development of a programme which highlights energy-efficiency on a rolling 12-month basis, to capture further gains for industry and the economy from enhanced energy-efficiency. In conclusion, the publication of this annual report provides a valuable review of work undertaken and results achieved over the last 12 months and also over a ten-year period.
I remain convinced of the value of a voluntary partnership with industry and I welcome SEI’s work in broadening this approach to other firms and the commercial sector. I wish to acknowledge you, the members of L.I.E.N and Sustainable Energy Ireland and your combined efforts and achievements and I look forward to supporting and encouraging your endeavours in the coming years.
Thank you.
Ends