Sligo Rovers go green and transform their club’s carbon footprint with SSE Airtricity.

As the winners of the inaugural SSE Airtricity A Common Goal sustainability award and €25,000 retrofit prize, Sligo Rovers have transformed the clubs lighting after an upgrade with the SSE Airtricity Energy Services team. Sligo Rovers competed against all other league clubs to win the sustainability grant that saw them install new LED lighting which will reduce the club's energy bills and carbon footprint for seasons to come.

The installation of these renewable and sustainable upgrades will save club €991 on a yearly basis. Regarding energy savings, the club will have saved 4965 KWh of energy each year. One of the biggest percentage differences in energy savings can be seen through LED lighting that was installed through our partners Verde LED. The switch to LED will save the Sligo Rovers 98% on a yearly basis. The Home and Away dressing rooms show an 89% energy consumption difference between the old lighting fixtures and the newly installed LEDs. They’re bathroom light fixtures also see an 80% difference.

Shane Crossan of Sligo Rovers said: ‘As part of the Common Goal strategy within the club here, we developed a community within the club working closely with Sligo County Council and indeed Sligo Tidy Towns. We undertook numerous initiatives in the club such as looking at ways to expand our recycling bank facility here on the ground – we conducted litter picks within the local community, and we also developed a new sustainability strategy.’

“A Common Goal” was first launched in 2021, to mark our title sponsorship of the SSE Airtricity’s Premier, First and Women’s National Football Leagues. Our aim is to improve the environmental sustainability of football clubs and the wider communities. At SSE Airtricity we’re committed to promoting positive conversation around sustainability and we’re passionate about involving sustainability and environmental programs in our sponsorship of Irish football.

Over the course of the season, we have worked with clubs and players to help them make greener choices that benefit the environment alongside the help of club ambassadors competing in challenges each month, taking on different green themes and championing the positive actions we can all make towards our common goal.
As part of the programme, we committed €50,000 to support League of Ireland and Women’s National League clubs in environmental initiatives offering a grant of €2,250 to each participating club in 2021.

SSE Energy Services – Eamonn Brownlee commented, ‘We are very impressed with Sligo Rovers commitment to making greener choices to benefit their environment through the initiation of their sustainability strategy – and for this they were rewarded a retro fit to the value of €25,000 for their clubhouse. These energy upgrades will help Sligo Rovers become a more energy efficient club and to reduce their carbon-footprint. Sligo Rovers have been a pleasure to collaborate with throughout the process, and it is fantastic to see it come to life’’.

Sligo Rovers have shown how we can all make contributions to living more sustainable and greener lives – whether from inside our homes or on the pitch. They have proven just how much we can all achieve together under through A Common Goal. SSE Airtricity have made a proud partnership alongside Sligo Rovers, and hope that they’re dedication to their sportsmanship and community goes on to inspire many others.

Learn more about LED lighting

Did you know?

• LED stands for Light-emitting diode.
• LED lighting has a long lifecycle of up to 50,000 hours – saving homes and businesses on maintenance and energy usage.
• Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting can use up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting.
• LED light bulbs come in different colours and temperature. DIY Dermot has some tips about LED lighting Embed video - https://youtu.be/7zn4JMlo6oU
• See a range of LED and smart lighting on the SSE Airtricity eStore.
• LED lights can help lower your carbon footprint and help protect our planet.