Half of Irish businesses still do not have an environmental policy, according to research commissioned by Bord Gáis Energy (BGE).

The research, which was conducted for BGE by Red C, looked at the behaviours and attitudes towards energy and energy efficiency among businesses in Ireland.

Among the other key findings in the research, only 40% of Irish businesses encourage employees to be energy-efficient in the workplace. Some 55% would consider reducing energy usage to save money, yet less than a quarter did so in 2017.

Of the 34% of businesses that do include energy efficiency in their environmental agenda, monitoring and reducing energy usage is a priority for them.

The research, conducted among 200 key decision makers in businesses across Ireland, coincides with the recent launch of Centrica Business Solutions (CBS) into the Irish market.

In Association with

CBS is an energy-saving technology that offers Irish businesses a way to make savings on their energy bills and to gain a competitive advantage.

Solutions include Panoramic Power, an energy insight product that provides users with real-time visibility of their energy usage, from overall site level down to device level. Another Centrica solution is Combined Heat & Power, a highly efficient source of on-site energy generation.

One company that has benefitted from the Panoramic Power service is Glanbia. The firm installed Panoramic Power sensors at its Kilkenny facility, following a detailed survey by BGE.

“Already we have identified areas around the site where we can take action to reduce our energy usage,” said Paul Grant, Glanbia’s procurement manager. “The live reporting and alerts available from the system allows greater insight into our business energy usage.”

Deirdre Threadgold, I/C and Energy Services Category Manager at Bord Gáis Energy, commented:  “Irish businesses need to be aware of the importance of implementing energy efficiency practices in the workplace both from a commercial and environmental perspective,” she said.

“The feedback from those currently using the Centrica solutions has been extremely positive, with reports of improvements in energy consumption and significant cost reductions.”

SEAI Annual Report

According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Ireland’s largest energy users saved €14.5m in energy costs last year, the equivalent to taking almost 30,000 petrol or diesel cars off Ireland’s roads.

SEAI’s annual review presents the energy performance of the SEAI Large Industry Energy Network for 2017. The network has over 200 member companies, including food and drink companies like Kerry Group and Diageo, pharmachem companies like Pfizer and GSK, electronic companies like Google and Microsoft and many other large multinational and Irish owned companies. Collectively they account for one fifth of Ireland’s total primary energy use.

Almost 40% of network members are certified to the international energy management standard ISO 50001.

SEAI chief executive Jim Gannon commented: ““As the realities of climate change become clearer to us all, it is particularly important to highlight what work is being done by energy leaders across the country. Investing in sustainable energy is increasingly being perceived as a good use of capital, that locks in long-term savings. We look forward to continuing our support to Irish business as it reduces its consumption and decarbonises its supply.”

Photo: Paul Grant and Deirdre Threadgold