Sligo momentum on sustainable energy transition at risk as consumer fatigue sets in – Report

AS the sustainable energy transition enters a crucial new phase, momentum is at risk of slipping amongst Sligo and Irish consumers.

While households say they are more interested than ever in sustainability and the potential of a clean energy future, only three in ten (30%) feel they can do more at this time to be more sustainable.

With 70% of the expected benefits of the energy transition to be driven by changes in consumer consumption, and at a time when energy prices are beginning to decline, reengaging households is key.

That’s according to the latest EY ‘Energy transition consumer insights’ report, which surveyed 23,000 residential energy consumers across 21 countries, including 1,042 in Ireland, and which also highlights the key role the energy providers can play in helping to close the gap between interest and action amongst consumers on energy sustainability.

In Ireland, 78% of consumers say they are doing as much as they can to be sustainable at this time.

When it comes to shifting to cleaner sources of energy, the majority of Irish households say energy providers (57%) and Government (57%) should take the leading role, with just over one in five (21%) believing individual consumers should be leading. The global energy crisis and cost of living challenges continue to impact Irish households, with 69% of Irish consumers saying they can’t absorb a bill increase of 10%.

The research also identifies a generation gap when it comes to the sustainability premium of energy amongst Irish consumers - with Gen Z (32%) and Millennials (20%) willing to pay a premium for sustainable energy solutions, significantly ahead of Gen X (14%) and Boomers (15%).

Sean Casey, EY Energy & Infrastructure Consulting Leader, says: “After a number of years of spiking energy prices due to the conflict in Ukraine, combined with cost-of-living challenges facing many, it’s not surprising that Irish households feel that they are not in a position to do more on energy sustainability.

“Our research finds that the majority of Irish consumers say that they’ve already done everything they can, with only three in ten feeling they can do more to be more sustainable.

“This presents a significant challenge as we move into the next critical phase of meeting our ambitious but essential climate change commitments. While efforts on the supply side from producers are gaining momentum, with record renewable energy generation on the grid, we need an even more fundamental shift in how we engage and encourage sustainable energy consumption behaviours, as 70% of the outcome of the energy transition depends on people changing their behaviour, most notably how we power our homes and how we get around.

“With energy prices beginning to decline from the spikes of late 2022 and early 2023, there is now a window of opportunity in terms of promoting and incentivising sustainable energy behaviours at a household level. Energy consumers need a broad range of supports to make personal energy choices easier and more affordable.

“These supports are in such areas as renewable energy solutions for the home, electric vehicles and simply how consumers use energy every day. Closing the gap between their interest and action will depend on energy providers, government, and the broader energy ecosystem working together to pull every lever available.”