Activ8 Energies is celebrating double success at the Green Transformation Awards after winning both the Green Transformation Collaboration Award and Green Transformation Team of the Year Award alongside project partners SSE Airtricity Energy Services and Monaghan County Council.
The awards were won through the delivery of the Monaghan Area Based Retrofit Initiative (MABRI), a pioneering area-based retrofit programme that has transformed homes across Monaghan while delivering significant environmental, social and economic benefits.
The recognition highlights the power of collaboration, innovation and teamwork in accelerating residential decarbonisation and creating lasting value for communities.
Delivering Success Through Strategic Collaboration
The Green Transformation Collaboration Award recognises organisations that work together to achieve measurable environmental progress. Through MABRI, Activ8 Energies, SSE Airtricity Energy Services and Monaghan County Council demonstrated exactly what effective collaboration can achieve.
Moving beyond the traditional client-contractor relationship, the three organisations established an integrated delivery partnership built on shared objectives, collective responsibility and a common vision for sustainable change.
By bringing together public sector leadership, energy expertise and specialist retrofit capabilities, the partnership combined the strengths of all three organisations to deliver a complex programme of works across occupied homes, while maintaining a clear focus on environmental outcomes and resident experience.
At the centre of this approach was the MABRI Taskforce, with representatives from each organisation working together to plan, govern and oversee every stage of delivery. Regular communication, shared decision-making and collaborative problem-solving enabled the partnership to overcome challenges, coordinate works efficiently and maintain programme momentum.
The result was not only a successful retrofit programme, but a proven model for how public and private sector organisations can work together to accelerate residential decarbonisation and deliver lasting benefits for communities.
Delivering Measurable Environmental Impact
The project’s measurable environmental impact was another defining feature of MABRI’s success, demonstrating how the partnership translated its sustainability ambitions into tangible results.
Over the course of the programme, deep energy retrofits were completed on 48 Monaghan County Council homes, while the visibility and success of the area-based initiative also encouraged wider community engagement with retrofit.
The results demonstrate the scale of the transformation:
- Average Building Energy Ratings (BER) improved from approximately D1/C3 to B1.
- Average energy consumption reduced from 217 kWh/m²/year to 88 kWh/m²/year.
- Carbon emissions reduced from 53 kg CO₂/m²/year to 11 kg CO₂/m²/year.
- 115 solar PV systems installed.
- Approximately 645,000 kWh of renewable electricity generated annually.
- More than 105 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided every year.
These improvements represent a significant contribution to Ireland’s climate action ambitions, while delivering warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient homes for residents.
The Team Behind the Double Win
The second award, Green Transformation Team of the Year, recognised the people behind MABRI and the collective expertise, dedication and teamwork required to deliver the programme successfully.
Bringing together specialists from Activ8 Energies, SSE Airtricity Energy Services and Monaghan County Council, the team combined expertise across housing, energy services, retrofit design, construction management, resident engagement and project governance.
Despite representing different organisations, the team operated with shared objectives and collective accountability, working towards a common vision of delivering lasting environmental and community benefits.
Their commitment to excellence was reflected in the programme’s achievements:
- More than 6,700 labour hours completed.
- Zero lost-time injuries.
- Over 120 health, safety and quality audits conducted.
- A 99.16% compliance rate.
- 13 apprenticeships created across mechanical and electrical trades.
These results reflect the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality and project delivery. Strong communication, coordination and collaborative problem-solving were central to achieving these outcomes.
The collaborative culture extended beyond the core taskforce, bringing together contractors, suppliers and consultants who all played an important role in delivering the project’s environmental and community objectives.
Putting Residents at the Heart of the Programme
While environmental performance was a key objective, the success of MABRI was also measured by the difference it made to residents’ everyday lives.
Delivering retrofit works in occupied homes can bring uncertainty and disruption, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents. Recognising this, Activ8 and its partners placed resident engagement at the centre of the programme.
Public information events, individual consultations, dedicated support and ongoing communication helped ensure residents felt informed, supported and confident throughout their retrofit journey.
For resident Pauline McNulty, the experience initially came with concerns about losing her open fire, changes to her heating system and the disruption associated with major works.
Following completion, she shared her experience:
“When I first heard about the retrofit works in my home, I was very sceptical about losing my open fire and was worried about my electricity bills, not to mention the disruption and potential damage to my home. The works are now complete, including the new heating system, windows and doors. The team was respectful and tidy, leaving my home exactly as they found it. Communication throughout the project was excellent, and I was very happy with the work carried out. I have now adjusted to the new heating system and am very content with it.”
Her experience reflects the importance of building trust, maintaining communication and ensuring residents remain at the centre of sustainable change.
Creating a Blueprint for Future Retrofit
The impact of MABRI extends beyond the retrofit measures installed within individual homes.
The programme introduced an innovative area-based delivery model that focused on neighbourhoods rather than isolated properties, improving delivery efficiency, reducing mobilisation costs and increasing community awareness of retrofit opportunities.
Prototype homes were also completed ahead of wider rollout, enabling installation methods, engagement processes and delivery strategies to be tested and refined before larger-scale implementation.
By combining technical expertise with collaborative governance, Activ8 and its partners have established a repeatable delivery model that can support local authorities across Ireland in accelerating residential decarbonisation.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
The benefits of the programme extend well beyond the completion of the retrofit works.
By prioritising local contractors and suppliers, MABRI supported regional businesses, strengthened the local retrofit supply chain and helped develop the skilled workforce needed to support Ireland’s growing retrofit sector.
The creation of 13 apprenticeships represents an important investment in the next generation of mechanical and electrical tradespeople, helping ensure the skills required for future retrofit programmes continue to grow.
As Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, noted:
“The MABRI partnership has shown what is possible when local government and industry work together with a shared vision. By combining the strengths of Monaghan County Council, SSE Airtricity Energy Services and Activ8 Energies, we have delivered meaningful environmental improvements for our residents while establishing a collaborative delivery model that can be scaled and replicated in communities across Ireland.”
Two Awards. One Shared Vision for Sustainable Change.
Winning both the Green Transformation Collaboration Award and Green Transformation Team of the Year Award is a significant achievement for Activ8 Energies, SSE Airtricity Energy Services, Monaghan County Council and everyone involved in delivering MABRI.
The recognition celebrates the strength of the partnership, the dedication of the people behind the programme and the measurable environmental improvements delivered for communities across Monaghan.
Two awards, one shared vision for sustainable change. The recognition celebrates what can be achieved when organisations combine their expertise, work towards a common goal and put people and the environment at the heart of everything they do.