Laois brewer 'absolutely delighted' with 'prestigious' sustainability award

Stradbally's Ballykilcavan Brewing Company has won another big prize, this time for sustainability.

David and Lisa Walsh-Kemmis of the Laois brewery were on hand to collect the Small and Medium Business award at The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Awards 2023.

The couple and their brewing team are no strangers to success and awards and are more than happy to win another.

“We're absolutely delighted to win this hugely prestigious award. Energy is one of biggest costs in the brewery and the whole team has been working really hard to reduce our energy use and to integrate our new solar panel systems with our existing processes. It's fantastic to see those efforts recognised with this award," David told the Leinster Express.

SEAI said brewer uses 100% Irish barley grown on their own farm to create their beer. It says the sustainable energy activities of the brewery focus on decarbonising the beer production process with the primary goal of reducing cost and achieving zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by the end of 2024.

To achieve sustainability they have installed solar panel arrays, increasing power generation by 306% and reducing energy imports from the grid by 32.7% per litre of beer produced. Switching to a 100% renewable energy supplier, SEAI say the brewer has had a 77% reduction in the overall carbon footprint of the brewery compared to the previous year. 

The impact on the business is said to have led to significant cost savings, with energy expenditure reduced to 40% of previous levels. The success of this project is motivating them to plan for the next phase with the hydro installation. 

This year, there were 114 applications to the SEAI Awards, 40 finalists, who collectively reduced energy consumption by 16% saving €50 million in energy spend. The renewable energy produced by the 2023 entrants is equivalent to powering over 400,000 homes per year.  More below picture.

Pictured: The Walsh-Kemmis clan pick up the Gold medal won at the Blas na hÉireann food and drink awards 2023.

Hosted by journalist Sinead Ryan, this year’s ceremony saw a total of thirteen awards presented to individuals, businesses, communities, and public sector organisations in recognition of their commitment and dedication to sustainable energy and climate action.  

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said congratulated the entrants and winners for their commitment to sustainable energy and their role in fighting for a cleaner energy future.

"The finalists – indeed all the applicants this year – give an insight into the technical capacity, the innovation, the drive, and the vision that is powering an energy transformation right across the country, in businesses and in communities. The calibre of individuals and organisations that have taken part in this prestigious event over the past 20 years gives me great confidence when it comes to meeting our ambitious but achievable climate targets," he said. 

CEO of SEAI, William Walsh, said there has been incredible innovation and momentum in sustainable energy over the past 20 years. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: David Walsh-Kemmis and some of the brewing team.

"We are celebrating the achievements of entrants and their contribution to a sustainable energy future. We are here to recognise those leading the energy revolution in their respective sectors, providing exemplary leadership in reducing Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels,” he said. 

IN PICTURES: Four Laois convenience shops winners of top Gala retail awards

Other 2023 SEAI Energy Award winners include;  

• Ahascragh Distillers Ltd (Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy) 
• Lidl (Large Business) 
• Inland Fisheries Ireland (Leadership in public sector decarbonisation and energy efficiency) 
• University of Galway (Energy in Buildings) 
• Bus Éireann (Transport) 
• SSE Airtricity Energy Services/Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (Residential Energy Upgrades) 
• Symphony Energy (Sustainability via Digital Technologies in Construction and Buildings).   

For full details on all winning projects, visit www.seai.ie.