Energia research shows Irish businesses focus on efficiency and technology

Irish businesses are beginning to introduce energy efficiency measures and have already taken steps to lower their carbon footprints.

Research undertaken by Energia shows that climate change and energy usage are key focuses for businesses across Ireland for the year ahead with 3 in 5 businesses (63%) surveyed highly interested in energy efficiency and learning how to reduce usage.
 
This interest is reflected in the number of businesses that have actively put an energy efficiency plan in place and allocated a budget for 2022, which stands at 18%. This has doubled from just 9% of businesses in February 2021.
 

Business Performance and Confidence

Furthermore, more than half of businesses (53%) have also taken steps that have reduced their carbon footprint, while 28% have committed to specific targets to do so for the year ahead.
 
This forward-looking approach shows confidence among business owners which is also demonstrated in the findings for Q4 in 2021, where 44% of businesses expected higher levels of business activity. It is worth noting that in Q4 2020 only 15% expected higher levels of activity, clearly illustrating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader issues such as Brexit over the past eighteen months.

 
Energy Efficiency & Technology

The research covered small, medium, and large businesses across multiple sectors, illustrating a wide variety of approaches to sustainability and efficiency, with notable levels of interest in electric vehicle (EV) technology. Of those surveyed, 12% of businesses stated that they have at least one EV charging point, a fourfold increase on a level of 3% at the start of 2021. This significant increase is aligned to the hopes of the Government’s Climate Action Plan and the research found that this figure will rise to approximately 18% by the end of 2022 as more businesses look to develop their EV infrastructure over the next 12 months.
 
Looking at other areas, the research found that 45% of businesses are interested in lighting upgrades to drive efficiencies and over two thirds (67%) of businesses are interested in grants that enable energy efficiency upgrades.
 
Commenting on the research, Andy Meagher, Director of Customer Solutions at Energia stated; “Sustainability and energy efficiency have become priorities across all levels of society, from individual households to Government policies and, as this research shows, within businesses. This focus presents an opportunity for organisations across all sectors with regard to energy efficiency. Indeed, our research found that 34% of Energia business customers have allocated budget to energy efficiency plans, higher than any of the other main suppliers and 23% of Energia customers have at least one EV charging point. At Energia we are proud to supply 100% green electricity and with our focus on sustainable practices, it is our hope to continue to grow these numbers and further support businesses and communities across Ireland in their development.”
 
Energia offers a comprehensive range of energy efficiency services to businesses of all sizes, enabling them to make greener and smarter decisions. The energy provider has invested in new smart technologies and data driven solutions that can enhance energy efficiency and offer customers a one-stop-shop approach to greener business. The Energia offering includes a real time energy consumption dashboard, fully funded LED lighting solutions as well as bespoke commercial EV options. More information is available here.
 

About the Research

The business sentiment and market review research was conducted for Energia by Behaviour & Attitudes Research and Insight (B&A) among a representative sample of 357 business owners/managers during Q4 2021.
 
A national and regional overview of some of the key research findings is below.