Celebrating Ireland’s Renewable Leaders: Highlights from the Inaugural Irish Renewable Energy Awards
On 13 November, Ireland’s renewable-energy community gathered at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre for a landmark moment - the inaugural Irish Renewable Energy Awards, hosted jointly by Solar Ireland and Wind Energy Ireland.
For decades, the story of Ireland’s energy transition has been driven by engineers, innovators, farmers, communities, researchers, and policymakers working together to reshape how this country is powered. Last night, that story, and the people behind it, took centre stage.
This new national awards platform recognises the individuals, projects, and partnerships that are accelerating Ireland’s clean-energy future and setting new standards of excellence across the sector.
A Sector Marked by Momentum
Ireland’s renewable-energy journey has accelerated dramatically in recent years.
From the first wind turbine in Mayo more than 30 years ago to the energisation of Ireland’s first solar farm at Millvale in 2022, our country has charted a remarkable course. In just three years, solar capacity has grown to 2.1 GW, supported by more than 155,000 rooftop installations on homes, farms, and businesses nationwide.
At its summer peak, solar supplied over 21% of national electricity demand, the equivalent of powering one in every five light bulbs in Ireland.
These achievements demonstrate not only technological progress, but the collaboration, determination, and innovation that define Ireland’s renewable-energy sector.
Honouring the Changemakers
This year’s award winners represent the very best of Ireland’s renewable-energy community, from technical excellence to community outreach, from rooftop innovation to grid-scale leadership.
2025 Winners
Renewable Energy in the Community Award
Sponsored by Greencoat Renewables
Winner: Energia Group – Community Outreach ProgrammeSustainability in Renewables Energy Award
Sponsored by Natural Power
Winner: ESBDiversity & Inclusion Initiative Award
Sponsored by Energia Group
Winner: Ohk EnergyExcellence in Renewable Energy Supply Chain Award
Sponsored by ESB
Winner: XOCEANRenewable Skills Champion Award
Sponsored by Greentech Skillnet & Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy
Winner: ESBExcellence in Renewable Services Award
Sponsored by BNRG
Winner: TNEI IrelandSolar Rooftop Project of the Year Award
Sponsored by Solar Ireland
Winner: Activ8 Solar Energies – Glenpatrick SpringBest Energy Storage Project Award
Sponsored by Energy Storage Ireland
Winner: Statkraft Ireland – Cushaling BEESBest Onshore Wind Project of the Year Award
Sponsored by Nordex UK and Ireland
Winner: Bord na Móna & ESB – Oweninny 2Solar Farm Project of the Year Award
Sponsored by Mason Hayes & Curran
Winner: BNRG – Dunmurry Springs PVOffshore Wind Champion Award
Supported by the Government of Ireland
Winner: Gavin & Doherty GeosolutionsYoung Industry Person of the Year Award
Sponsored by Jones Engineering
Winner: Patrick Donlon – BNRGChampion of Renewables Award
Sponsored by PwC
Winner: Dr Eddie O’Connor (Supernode) – Posthumous, accepted by his daughter Lesley O’Connor
Each of these winners represents what is best about Ireland’s renewable-energy sector: innovation, integrity, and impact.
A Night Defined by Collaboration
What made this first year so special was the collective spirit in the room. Wind, solar, storage, supply chain, skills, innovation, community energy - all represented, all celebrated.
The awards highlighted how Ireland’s transition is no longer driven by one technology or one organisation, but by a unified ecosystem working toward a shared goal: a decarbonised, resilient, and secure energy future.
Acknowledgements
A sincere thank you to:
Main Sponsor: PwC
Media Partners: Business Post and reNEWS
All category sponsors
Judges, contributors, shortlisted applicants, and everyone who made this inaugural awards night possible
And of course, every organisation and individual driving renewable energy forward in Ireland
Your leadership made this celebration not only possible, but meaningful.
Looking Ahead
The Irish Renewable Energy Awards will now become an annual celebration of Ireland’s energy innovators, visionaries, and community leaders. Solar Ireland is proud to stand alongside Wind Energy Ireland in shaping this platform, and we look forward to recognising even more extraordinary achievements in the years ahead.
Together, we are building generation for generations.