South East Energy Agency

What South East Energy Agency does

South East Energy Agency (SEEA), headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland, is a private regional energy agency founded in 2002 (previously Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency / 3CEA) that delivers energy-saving projects, advisory services, and grant coordination across four south-east Irish counties: Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford. The organisation serves five principal customer segments — residential homeowners, commercial SMEs, community groups, public sector bodies, and (secondarily) agricultural and transport operators — through services including energy auditing, project management and grant coordination, a Home Retrofit One-Stop-Shop, one-to-one consultations, ISO 50001 energy management, EED and Measurement & Verification for SEAI Pathfinder projects, and SME sustainability planning.

SEEA's product surface combines human-delivered advisory services with digital infrastructure: the September 2024-launched Community Energy Hub (communityenergyhub.ie), built on the Sprout* sustainable no-code platform and hosted on low-carbon infrastructure, provides a Home Energy Grant Finder, energy jargon buster, upgrade journey guide, and bill-reading resource; the Energy Observatory (energyhub.ie) provides regional greenhouse gas and energy data; and CODEMA Home Energy Kits are distributed via library card loans. The agency additionally coordinates a substantial portfolio of EU-funded research, development, and innovation projects (DeCarb-Pro, SCEPA, EU Peers, ECOBoost, Regio1st, European Climate Pact, ENERCOM, EXPRESS, UNIFHY, RESONANCE) and serves as Ireland's European Climate Pact Country Coordinator.

The revenue model is grant-funded professional services: SEEA administers SEAI, EU, and local-authority funds, delivers services free or at subsidised rates to end users (e.g., the €2,000 SEAI audit voucher), and earns fees through project management and programme coordination rather than direct commercial billing. Customers reach SEEA through a community-led, event-driven, and sales-led GTM motion combining library drop-in clinics, home energy expos, school talks, webinars, chamber memberships, and direct local-authority engagement. The €21 million in grants referenced in marketing material represents funding routed to clients, not agency revenue, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

South East Energy Agency

Legal name

South East Energy Agency

Website

https://southeastenergy.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

South East Energy Agency is a private, grant-funded regional energy agency founded in 2002 in Kilkenny, Ireland, delivering energy audits, retrofit coordination, and climate advisory services to homeowners, SMEs, community groups, and local authorities across Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional energy advisory services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Electric & Other Services Combined (4931)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Access (Off-grid, Energy Poverty Solutions) (BPAGALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Energy Justice, Equity & Ratepayer Impact Analysis (EUAMANAN)

Keywords

• Regional energy services
• Energy auditing
• Home retrofit advisory
• Sustainability consulting
• Climate action support

Headquarters

HQ city

Kilkenny

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant-Funded Services: The agency operates as a non-profit energy agency providing services funded through government grants (SEAI), EU projects, and local authority partnerships. Services include energy auditing, project management, grant coordination, training, and one-to-one consultations delivered free or at subsidized rates to end users.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

South East Energy Agency is a regional energy agency that helps households, businesses, community groups, and public sector organisations in the South East of Ireland reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and access renewable energy sources. It delivers energy audits, project management and grant coordination, home energy upgrade services through a One-Stop Shop, ISO 50001 energy management implementation, sustainability planning, EED and Measurement & Verification work, community energy support, and EU-funded research and innovation projects. The agency's complementary Community Energy Hub platform and Energy Observatory data platform extend its advisory offering with self-service energy information and regional emissions data.

Product overview

South East Energy Agency is a regional energy agency offering a comprehensive suite of advisory and support services rather than a single software product. The core offerings include energy auditing, project management with grant coordination, home energy upgrades through a One Stop Shop model, one-to-one consultations, community energy support, SME sustainability planning, training programs, and public sector energy management. The agency also operates the Community Energy Hub, a free online resource platform helping households and businesses access energy information and grants. Additionally, the agency coordinates numerous EU-funded projects including DeCarb-Pro (carbon pricing in public procurement), EU Peers (residential renovation), SCEPA (energy poverty), ECOBoost (SME energy efficiency), Regio1st (energy efficiency first principle), and the European Climate Pact. The portfolio also includes the Energy Observatory data platform providing regional energy and emissions data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Auditing & Assessment Energy audits that identify opportunities for financial and energy savings and carbon reduction, delivered to homeowners, SMEs, community groups, and public sector organisations in the South East of Ireland.
• Project Management & Grant Coordination End-to-end project management covering initial assessments and grant applications through contractor works coordination to final paperwork, enabling clients to access SEAI, EU, and local authority grants.
• Home Energy Upgrade (Home Retrofit One Stop Shop) One-stop-shop service that helps homeowners transform homes to make them warmer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient, with SEEA coordinating assessments, grants, and contractor works under one roof.
• 1 to 1 Energy Consultations Personal energy consultations with expert energy advisors, available in person at libraries, online, or via phone, guiding households and businesses on their energy efficiency journey.
• Community Energy Support Support services that empower community groups, sports clubs, and sustainable energy communities to lead the energy transition, including SEC development, energy masterplans, and renewable project facilitation.
• SME Sustainability Plans Helps local SMEs and businesses futureproof operations, cut energy costs, and strengthen reputation through tailored sustainability plans and SEAI business grant support.
• Training, Awareness and Events Workshops, webinars, library events, school talks, and online resources supporting the energy transition for households, businesses, communities, schools, and public sector audiences.
• ISO 50001 Energy Management Guides organisations through developing and embedding an ISO 50001 energy management system, including energy baseline establishment, action planning, and performance verification.
• EED and Measurement & Verification Energy Efficiency Design (EED) and Measurement & Verification services delivered for SEAI Pathfinder projects and public sector clients, providing technical assurance on energy savings.
• Public Sector Energy Management Energy management services to improve efficiency and embed best practices in public sector organisations, including baseline emission inventories and Local Authority Climate Action Plan (LACAP) support for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford councils.
• Renewable Energy Solutions Helping communities and businesses deliver solar, wind, biogas, and other renewable energy projects, including 0.5–5MW projects and renewable energy masterplans.
• Community Energy Hub Free, independent online resource platform helping households, community groups, and businesses in the South East understand energy use and access grants, featuring a Home Energy Grant Finder, energy jargon buster, energy saving tips, energy bill guide, and step-by-step Energy Upgrade Journey guidance.
• Energy Observatory Online data platform hosted at energyhub.ie providing regional greenhouse gas emissions and energy data for the South East of Ireland, used by public sector planners, community groups, and researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• €21 million of grant funding awarded for energy upgrades
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• PobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Partner in Community Climate Action Programme Strand 2. Hosted national CCAP Strand 2 Research Launch and Project Showcase at which SEEA presented Community Energy Hub.
• Loughboy Library (Kilkenny)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Library partner for Community Energy Hub launch events and monthly Energy Drop-in Clinics providing free energy advice to library users.
• Waterford Central LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Library partner for Community Energy Hub launch events and monthly Energy Drop-in Clinics providing free energy advice to library users.
• Carlow County LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Library partner for Community Energy Hub launch events and monthly Energy Drop-in Clinics providing free energy advice to library users.
• Wexford Town LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Library partner for Community Energy Hub launch events and monthly Energy Drop-in Clinics providing free energy advice to library users.
• Sprout* (Jonathan Bell & James Corscaddan)moderateTechnology or Integration · 9 September 2024Sustainable no-code website builder that built the low-carbon Community Energy Hub platform using energy-efficient web development practices.
• Tipperary Energy AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2020Ireland's EUCF Country Expert. Hosted EUCF webinar for Irish Local Authorities on application process for sustainable energy financing.
• FEDARENEmoderateOthersEuropean network of regional energy agencies. South East Energy Agency is a member, enabling continuous exchange of energy best practices at local and European levels.
• Carlow County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro pilot partner exploring use of comparative Preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (Pre-LCA) during early stages of construction projects to identify carbon hotspots.
• Kilkenny County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro pilot partner with Climate Action Regional Offices for Eastern and Midlands Region, piloting carbon pricing for fleet decarbonisation.
• European Climate PactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth East Energy Agency serves as Climate Pact Country Coordinator in Ireland, organizing Climate Pact Community activities and facilitating dialogue between communities and DG CLIMA.
• Grone Metropol Region Arnhem-NijmegencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner from Netherlands collaborating on carbon pricing in public procurement.
• City of EssencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner hosting partner meeting; shared Folkwang Museum energy retrofit case study.
• City of PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner sharing best practices on carbon pricing in public procurement.
• Climate AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner representing European local authority climate action network.
• Klimaatverbond NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro Project Lead Manager (Margo Meeuwissen) from this organization; Dutch climate covenant network.
• Klimaschutz Agentur WiesbadencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner from Germany.
• Flux50minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner from Belgium/Flanders focused on smart energy.
• Foundation HIER KlimaatbureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner from Netherlands.
• City of AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner sharing best practices as forerunner pilot in carbon pricing.
• Strasbourg EurometropoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeCarb-Pro project partner including Agence du Climat Strasbourg.
• HAN University of Applied Sciences NijmegencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCEPA project host for 4th International Site Visit on energy poverty solutions, April 2025.
• Regio1st Project Partners (8 European organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFE Clean Energy Transition funded project supporting regional authorities in applying Energy Efficiency First principle. Partners from across Europe collaborating on multilevel governance activities.
• Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department behind Community Climate Action Programme. Co-hosted Strand 2 launch event with Pobal.
• Wexford Leader PartnershipmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided funding for Wexford Grid Study conducted by BioXL and Mullan Grid Consulting for South East Energy Agency.
• Meitheal Na GaoithemoderateOthersInitiative strengthening resilience among Ireland's Sustainable Energy Communities by fostering collective action and local empowerment. Mentioned in SCEPA context.
• ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCEPA Community of Interest partner for energy poverty initiatives.
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency overseeing Sustainable Energy Communities network. SEEA extends guidance, mentorship, and facilitates access to SEAI grant support for communities.
• European Biogas AssociationmoderateOthersIndustry association member. Paddy Phelan (CEO) appeared on Newstalk discussing Ireland's biogas potential.
• Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)coreOthersPaddy Phelan elected as President of IrBEA, positioning SEEA in national bioenergy policy discussions.
• Irish Solar Energy CouncilmoderateOthersIndustry association member for solar energy sector engagement.
• Irish Green Building CouncilmoderateOthersIndustry association member for building sustainability expertise.
• Irish Energy Storage AssociationmoderateOthersIndustry association member for energy storage sector engagement.
• Climate AlliancemoderateOthersEuropean climate network member for local authority climate action.
• Waterford Chamber of CommerceminorOthersRegional chamber of commerce member for business network engagement.
• Kilkenny Chamber of CommerceminorOthersRegional chamber of commerce member for business network engagement.
• County Wexford Chamber of CommerceminorOthersRegional chamber of commerce member for business network engagement.
• County Carlow Chamber of CommerceminorOthersRegional chamber of commerce member for business network engagement.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tipperary Energy Agency: Irish regional energy agency operating in the Midlands with a parallel service model including energy audits, SME supports, community energy programs, and EU project participation. Mentioned in SEEA data as a partner and EUCF Country Expert, indicating direct collaboration between the two organizations.
• Centre for Sustainable Energy: UK-based non-profit charity providing energy advice, community energy programs, fuel poverty support, and climate action services. Operates a parallel model to SEEA in a different geography with similar services for households, communities, and local authorities.
• Codema: Dublin's regional energy agency operating under the same model as SEEA, providing energy auditing, project management, public sector climate action support, and community energy programs. Codema is the most directly comparable Irish peer with overlapping service portfolio and target segments.
• Energy Action Ireland: Irish non-profit dedicated to tackling energy poverty through home retrofits, energy advice, and policy advocacy. Overlaps with SEEA's energy poverty work (SCEPA project) and shares a similar mission-driven, grant-funded operating model serving vulnerable households.

Others

• Irish Green Building Council: Membership organization promoting sustainable building practices in Ireland, of which SEEA is a member. The IGBC overlaps thematically with SEEA's building energy upgrade work and SME sustainability planning but operates as an industry body rather than service provider.
• Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA): Industry association representing Ireland's bioenergy sector, where SEEA CEO Paddy Phelan serves as President. While not a direct competitor, IrBEA is a peer ecosystem participant in renewable energy policy and sectoral coordination.
• FEDARENE: European network of regional energy agencies of which SEEA is a member. FEDARENE enables best practice exchange and collaboration across regional energy agencies Europe-wide, making it a peer ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.
• ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy): European association supporting local democracy and citizen participation, partner in SEEA's SCEPA project for energy poverty initiatives. ALDA is a project partner and ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor in energy advisory services.
• Climate Alliance: European network of local authorities and regional governments committed to climate action, partner in SEEA's DeCarb-Pro project. Climate Alliance represents peer ecosystem participation rather than direct competition but connects SEEA to pan-European climate initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI): Ireland's national sustainable energy regulator and grant administrator that funds SEEA's work and oversees the Sustainable Energy Communities network. SEAI is a broader incumbent with national scope, overlapping mission, and regulatory authority that SEEA operates within as an intermediary.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SEEnergyAgency
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXeAtDF_jyZTODcdYvRVzBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Southeastenergyagency
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-east-energy-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/southeastenergy.ie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South East Energy Agency