Techies Go Green research reveals 76% of business leaders call for radical energy supports in Budget 2027

Techies Go Green, the business sustainability network, has launched new research showing that 69% of business leaders would struggle to absorb another sharp increase in energy costs, while 43% say rising energy bills have already reduced profits. The findings come as three-quarters (76%) call for radical energy supports in Budget 2027.

As businesses navigate these pressures, Techies Go Green has launched the Smarter Energy Challenge, an eight-week programme created to help organisations turn energy uncertainty into practical action. The aim is to help businesses identify where they can reduce their exposure to energy costs and where investment is most likely to deliver real value.

The research, carried out independently by Censuswide, shows how these pressures are feeding through into wider business decisions, with 28% saying they have increased prices for customers.

The impact is also feeding into longer-term decisions. More than half (51%) have delayed or cancelled energy-related investment, while 18% say higher energy costs have delayed recruitment.

The commercial case is also becoming increasingly important in sustainability decisions. Almost two-thirds (65%) say cost savings are now a primary driver of sustainability investment, compared with 51% who cite environmental sustainability. For many organisations, the business case is increasingly the deciding factor in whether greener investment gets off the ground.

The differences are also clear across the island and between sectors. In Northern Ireland, 42% of respondents say they have increased prices for customers, compared with 23% in the Republic. Meanwhile, 89% of Food & Beverage respondents and 81% of those in Healthcare & Social Care say they would find another sharp rise in energy costs difficult to absorb.

Running from 21st September to 27th November, the Smarter Energy Challenge will help businesses get a clearer picture of their energy use and the options available to them. The eight-week programme combines online workshops with the Smarter Energy Planner, alongside opportunities to see cleaner energy systems working in real business environments through a series of case study visits.

A full-day conference on 14th October will tackle the big energy questions facing businesses, from rising costs and investment decisions to how the energy landscape is changing.

Organisations can register to take part in some or all elements of the Smarter Energy Challenge. The four case study visits will take participants inside Croke Park Stadium, Hibernia, Diageo Littleconnell Brewery and the Guinness Storehouse, with the final visit taking place in February 2027.

Registration is now open at: https://www.techiesgogreen.com/smarter-energy-challenge#register-form

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.”

SEAI has joined the Smarter Energy Challenge as Platinum Sponsor, adding further weight to the programme.

Fergus Sharkey, Head of Business Supports and Transport in SEAI, said: “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.

“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.”

See more stories here.