Energy Supports Made Simple - Accessing Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEAI) and Local Enterprise Office (LEO) supports.
7.30am – Registration, Networking & Breakfast
Guests arrive, register, enjoy breakfast, and have an opportunity to meet speakers, advisors, and other local businesses.
8.00am – Opening Address
Why Energy Action Matters Now.
Padraig O' Gorman, Director of Services, Carlow County Council: A short welcome address outlining why energy efficiency and sustainability are now key business priorities, and how the morning will help businesses understand supports and take the next step.
8.10am – Local Enterprise Office Presentation
Green Essentials: Turning Ideas into Fundable Projects
Rita Centigo – Senior Consultant | Centigo Limited t/a Stratagem Partners- Mentor with Carlow Local Enterprise Office
A practical session on how businesses can move from early sustainability ideas to clear, structured projects that are ready for grant support. Rita will outline where LEO can help businesses assess opportunities, prepare plans, and engage with the right supports.
Rita Barcoe is Project Manager and Senior Consultant at Stratagem Partners (Centigo Limited), where she leads Green, Lean and Digital for Business projects funded through Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. Having delivered over 60 of these projects, Rita has helped clients secure follow-on Grow Digital and Energy Efficiency grants, turning practical improvements into measurable results. Many business owners feel apprehensive about welcoming a consultant onsite, and Rita's mission is to demystify that experience, helping clients see clearly what's working, what isn't, and where the real opportunities lie. She holds a First Class Master's in Supply Chain Management from UCD Smurfit, and brings 12 years as a business owner and over 20 years as an Operations Director to every engagement.
8.30am – Business Case Study – Red Mills
A real-life business example showing how one company approached energy improvements, engaged with available supports, navigated the process, and delivered practical outcomes.
Michael Shields is Chief Technical Officer at Connolly’s Red Mills and a member of the Senior Management Team. He holds a B.Agr.Sc degree from UCD and an MBA from RMIT University, Melbourne. He oversees feed formulation, product research & development, quality control, technical support, laboratory operations and business relationships at Connolly’s Red Mills having joined the company in 2018. Michael has spent almost all of his career in technical and commercial roles in the Animal Feed and Animal Health Industries including roles at TP Whelehan, Alltech, Trident and Fyffes. His working career has taken him to over 20 countries and he has lived in England, Australia and Central America. He is Chairman of the Irish Grain and Feed Association, the representative body for the animal feed trade in the Republic. He is also a member of Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) Committee of the British Equine Trade Association (BETA), the organization that represents horse feed manufacturers globally. He is a founder member of Marble City Cyclers, Kilkenny’s largest road cycling club
Mike is a member of the Feed Committee of the Irish Grain & Feed Association and a member of the British Equestrian Trade Association NOPS Sub-Committee.
8.50am – SEAI Presentation
SEAI Supports Explained: What’s Available & How to Apply
Kathleen Moore, SEAI
A clear and accessible overview of SEAI supports, including where to start, how to prepare, common mistakes to avoid, and how businesses can improve their chances of progressing successfully.
Kathleen Moore is an Executive on SEAI’s SME Business Supports team. With over two decades of business experience, helping a diverse range of Irish and European companies to improve their business impacts, her role now focuses on sustainable business growth: offering energy guidance and grants to help Irish SMEs become more energy efficient and transition to renewable and smart energy technologies. Previously, Kathleen worked on SEAI's Sustainable Energy Community programme. SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) was established in 2002. We work with householders, businesses, communities and government to create a cleaner energy future. SEAI is the thought leader in sustainable energy in Ireland and provides research informed insights and data to inform policy and support delivery of Ireland's Climate Action targets.
9.10am – Panel Discussion
Ask the Experts: Getting Grant-Ready
Panel:
- Sarah Byrne, Business Advisor, Carlow County Councils- Local Enterprise Office
- Michael Shields, CTO of Connolly’s Red Mills
An interactive discussion focused on answering practical business questions, addressing common concerns, and helping attendees understand the next steps towards accessing supports and grants.
9.25am – Closing Remarks
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
Liam Carroll, Senior Executive Officer, Environment & Climate Action, Carlow County Council
Final reflections and clear next steps for businesses who want to follow up, explore supports, or begin their energy and sustainability journey.
Attendance at the event is by prior Registration ONLY on: www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or by calling 059-9129783.
