As cost pressures bite, three-in-four Irish business leaders demand energy supports. 69% say they would struggle with another sharp rise in energy costs.
Three-quarters of business leaders believe Budget 2027 should include significant energy supports to help companies manage rising costs, according to new research commissioned by sustainability network Techies Go Green.
The research, conducted independently by Censuswide, found that 76% of business leaders want what they describe as radical supports to address energy costs, while 69% said they would struggle to absorb another sharp increase in energy bills.
“Businesses want to make progress, but increasingly they need to see a clear commercial return”
The findings come as businesses continue to grapple with the impact of energy costs on profitability, investment plans and growth. More than four in 10 respondents (43%) said rising energy bills have already reduced profits, while 28% reported increasing prices for customers as a result.
Against this backdrop, Techies Go Green has launched its new Smarter Energy Challenge, an eight-week programme designed to help organisations better understand their energy consumption, identify savings opportunities and evaluate investment options.
The survey highlights how energy costs are influencing strategic business decisions. More than half of respondents (51%) said they have delayed or cancelled energy-related investments, while 18% reported postponing recruitment because of higher energy expenses.
Financial rationale behind sustainability projects
The financial rationale behind sustainability projects is also becoming increasingly important. Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) identified cost savings as a primary driver for sustainability investment, compared with 51% who cited environmental sustainability.
Regional and sectoral differences were also evident. In Northern Ireland, 42% of businesses said they had increased prices for customers because of energy costs, compared with 23% in the Republic of Ireland.
Food and beverage businesses appeared particularly exposed, with 89% saying they would find another sharp increase in energy costs difficult to absorb. Among healthcare and social care organisations, the figure stood at 81%.
The Smarter Energy Challenge will run from 21 September to 27 November and is aimed at helping organisations gain a clearer understanding of how energy is used across their operations. The programme will combine online workshops with the Smarter Energy Planner and a series of site visits showcasing energy solutions in real-world environments.
A full-day conference scheduled for 14 October will explore key issues facing businesses, including rising energy costs, investment decisions and changes across the energy landscape.
Participants will also have the opportunity to visit a number of organisations, including Croke Park Stadium, Hibernia, Diageo Littleconnell Brewery and the Guinness Storehouse. A final case study visit is planned for February 2027.
Michael O’Hara, co-founder of Techies Go Green, said: “When seven in 10 businesses say they would struggle to absorb another sharp increase in energy costs, the pressure they are under is clear. But what’s also striking is that almost two-thirds now point to cost savings as a primary reason for sustainability investment. Businesses want to make progress, but increasingly they need to see a clear commercial return.
“That is what the Smarter Energy Challenge is built to do. We want to give business owners and energy decision-makers the practical knowledge they need to understand how their energy is being used, identify where money is being wasted, assess the technologies and finance options available, and make confident investments that lower costs, cut emissions and strengthen their business.”
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has joined the initiative as Platinum Sponsor.
“Ireland’s energy transition will depend on practical action across the economy, and there is real value in seeing what is already working in practice,” said Fergus Sharkey, head of Business Supports and Transport at SEAI.
“The Smarter Energy Challenge brings those examples together in a way that can help organisations understand the options available and build momentum around smarter energy use. We’re delighted to support Techies Go Green as Platinum Sponsor.”
Registration for the Smarter Energy Challenge is now open, with organisations able to participate in individual elements of the programme or the full eight-week initiative.
Image at top: Duncan Stewart; TV producer; Michael O’Hara; Co-Founder of Techies Go Green; and Fergus Sharkey; Head of Business Supports and Transport, SEAI
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