A KERRY company has reached the national final of the prestigious 2015 Sustainable Energy Awards.

Killorglin-based company Astellas Ireland has been selected as a finalist of the awards, now in its 12th year.

The Awards encourage and reward excellence in energy management and are organised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and sponsored by Electric Ireland and Enprova.

Astellas Ireland Kerry Plant has implemented a best practice energy management initiative at their site in Killorglin, since 2005.

This initiative has saved them €3.3m and reduced their CO2 emissions by 69% on 2005 levels.

They have continually improved their energy efficiency and energy management practices and have strived to go beyond best practice.

They have installed a 800KW wind turbine, 1.8MW wood chip boiler and 64m2 of solar panels and 62% of site’s energy needs are now met through the use of renewables.

The Astellas Corporate commitment is to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% from 2005 levels by 2020 and Astellas Ireland Kerry Plant has already achieved a 69% reduction on 2005 levels.

Winners will be announced at a gala event on November 19th in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

This year, as part of the judging process, the Leadership category is open to an online public vote. Successful finalists are now being showcased on the SEAI website and are currently seeking votes from the public.

Organisations include Applegreen, AIB, Largo Foods, Collite, EPS, Tipperary Energy Agency and UCC Campus. You have until Monday 2nd November to vote for your winner. www.seai.ie

To view the full list of finalists for the Sustainable Energy Awards 2015 and read more on their projects visit: www.seai.ie/energyawards