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Sustainability & Environment

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The sustainability challenge

The challenge for the electricity industry

The traditional model for the electricity industry consists of:

  • Large centralised power stations (predominantly fossil fuel)
  • Electricity moved over long distances by high-powered grids
  • Delivered to customers who are mainly passive in their interaction with the electrical system

The problems introduced by climate change and the consequent need for massive reductions in carbon emissions, together with concerns over future fuel supplies, have fundamentally challenged this model.

The future, sustainable model is more likely to be based on a combination of:

  • Central and distributed power production
  • Smart networks
  • Customers who interact pro-actively with the system and are an integral part of both the supply and demand side of the equation

We are moving early to meet this challenge in all its aspects, including a major programme to engage the staff of the company in support of the strategy

Contact us

e: sustainability@esb.ie

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