The survey, conducted on behalf of Calor Ireland, by Censuswide, reveals the challenges and possibilities confronting decision-makers as they navigate the shift toward sustainable energy practices.
Key findings from the survey of manufacturers in Northern Ireland underline pressing concerns but also encouraging trends within the sector. The primary obstacles hindering local manufacturers in their transition to greener energy are the high costs, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of government support. An overwhelming 77 per cent of manufacturers also say they feel significant pressure from their supply chain to enhance environmental friendliness, reflecting a growing demand for sustainable practices.
These demand pressures are exacerbated by a perceived lack of government support for the transition.
According to the survey findings, over half (54 per cent) of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the government's level of support in facilitating the shift towards lower carbon or renewable energy sources. This sentiment underscores a perceived disparity between industry expectations and governmental efforts.
A majority of those surveyed (62 per cent) cited cost as the primary barrier in the shift towards greener energy, followed by 38 per cent indicating a lack of access to infrastructure.
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Eight per cent said they had no alternative to their current energy being used, while 15 per cent said they didn’t know where to start. A further 15 per cent said the move wasn’t a priority. But, despite these challenges, the majority (69 per cent) of decision-makers believe that embracing renewable energy is imperative for the future.
Encouragingly 62 per cent of surveyed manufacturers in Northern Ireland intend to transition to lower carbon or renewable energy sources within the next five years, with 23 per cent planning to do so within the next year. This proactive approach highlights a shared dedication to sustainability within the industry.
Even more encouraging is many of the businesses surveyed have already initiated measures to reduce their carbon footprint. Forty-six per cent have transitioned to lower carbon or renewable energy sources, while others have implemented energy-efficient lighting systems (38 per cent), reduced overall energy consumption (31 per cent), and adopted electric vehicles or HVO (8 per cent).
Calor's commitment to sustainability goes beyond research. It actively contributes to creating a greener manufacturing environment by providing energy solutions to businesses across various sectors, including farming, hospitality, and manufacturing. Their product range includes LPG and BioLPG, offering cleaner and lower carbon alternatives to oil. Thousands of businesses across Ireland already rely on Calor's gas energy to fuel their operations. Transitioning from oil to LPG can reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent, while opting for Calor's renewable gas, BioLPG, can lead to emission reductions of up to 80 per cent.
Oliver Kenny, Chief Commercial Officer at Calor, said: "Our research underscores both the challenges and the opportunities in transitioning towards sustainable energy practices among the manufacturing community here. While there is some encouraging action being taken by the majority of those surveyed, there is still an undercurrent of pressure including lack of governmental support and cost pressures.
"We hope that by unveiling the willingness of our businesses to become greener but also exposing those pressures they face; we can help prompt action at influential levels and support the NI business community move towards a greener future. At Calor, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing innovative solutions that empower businesses to embrace a greener future."
