ESB commits to Net Zero by 2040

ESB has announced a transformative drive to achieve net-zero by 2040 and to put in place the infrastructure and services to enable customers to do likewise.

Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040 sets out a path to achieve this focussing on decarbonised electricity, resilient infrastructure and empowering customers.

The strategy explicitly maps to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting the global agenda to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Objectives core to the delivery of the strategy include:

– Decarbonised Electricity: Develop and connect more renewables to the electricity network. Deliver a five-fold increase in renewable electricity, increasing ESB’s renewable generation portfolio from almost 1GW to 5GW and reducing the carbon intensity of our generation by two thirds by 2030.

ESB Networks and NIE Networks, with Eirgrid and SONI and all renewable developers, are already working to deliver a doubling of the renewable generation connected to the electricity transmission and distribution networks – from 6.2GW today to more than 15GW as both Ireland and Northern Ireland target 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030.

– Resilient Infrastructure: Resilient electricity networks are absolutely central to climate action. ESB will continue to invest in maintaining electricity resilience, an important and challenging factor in the transition, and in system services, which will be required to help the system operators cope with high volumes of renewables.

– Empowered Customers: Empower, enable and support customers and communities to achieve net zero, reflecting our commitment to working alongside customers and communities supporting them with the infrastructure, products and services they need to live more sustainably using clean electricity.

Speaking at the launch, Paddy Hayes, said: “At ESB, we are driven to make a difference and will focus our efforts on the areas where we can make the biggest impact – creating and connecting sustainable, reliable, affordable electricity – and supporting the customers and communities we serve to achieve net zero.

“By setting a clear, timebound ambition to achieve net zero by 2040, along with a Science-Based Target for 2030, we are determined to play our part in taking urgent action to combat climate change, delivering a brighter future.”

Meanwhile, Minister Ryan also welcomed the announcement: “The window of time to stabilise our climate is closing. Here in Ireland we recently passed the Climate Act, placing us on the journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“I welcome the ambition and urgency shown by ESB in its Net Zero 2040 strategy launched today that sets a clear direction and exercises leadership in tackling climate change.

“Building on a proud history, the ESB strategy recognises the role of resilient electricity generation and networks infrastructure in providing secure, clean and affordable electricity.

“I welcome in particular the multi-billion investment to repurpose our electricity system to power 1.3m EVs and 600,000 heat pumps with low-carbon energy by 2030, placing the citizen centre of this transformation.”