From utility to energy partner: Empowering customers to know their power

Ireland’s energy system is changing rapidly. Rising costs, new technologies, and the urgency of climate action are reshaping how energy is produced, consumed, and valued. Today’s customers want clarity, control, and practical ways to reduce costs, cut carbon, and take ownership of their energy future.

As Director of Customer and Commercial at Bord Gáis Energy, I see this shift every day. It’s driving a fundamental transformation in how we operate, how we invest, and how we engage with the market. We’re moving beyond the traditional utility model to become a modern energy partner, one that empowers households to actively shape their energy journey.

For over 50 years, Bord Gáis Energy has been a trusted presence in Irish homes. That trust remains central to our role. But expectations have evolved. Customers now want flexibility, transparency, and support that reflects new technologies, new tariffs, and a more complex, electrified energy system. They want a partner who can simplify choices and deliver practical outcomes.

Our ambition reflects that responsibility. We will be a net zero business by 2040, and we’re committed to supporting our 715,000 customers on their journey to net zero by 2050. Achieving this requires a step change, moving beyond energy supply to integrated solutions that combine insight, technology, and delivery.

Our strategy is anchored in three priorities. First, breaking through inertia in a traditionally low-interest category by making energy more relevant and understandable. Second, empowering customers with the knowledge and tools to take control of their energy use. Third, leading credibly on sustainability by supporting Ireland’s transition to a greener, fairer energy system.

For households, this means expanding access to practical technologies that deliver real control. Solar PV, EV chargers, smart tariffs, and connected home solutions enable customers to manage consumption, generate their own power, and reduce exposure to peak pricing. Through our SEAI-registered One Stop Shop, we provide a trusted, end-to-end pathway for deep home energy retrofits, from insulation and heat pumps to ventilation and energy controls, improving comfort while reducing emissions.

Solar energy is transforming customers from energy consumers into active participants. Following our acquisition of Swyft Energy, we’ve significantly expanded our national solar capability. We’re targeting more than 12,000 installations by 2029 across homes and farms, helping households cut bills and reduce reliance on the grid.

Smart technology is another critical enabler. Through Hive Active Heating, Bord Gáis Energy offers smart thermostats that allow customers to control their heating and hot water remotely via smartphone, helping households reduce waste, shift demand away from peak times and manage energy costs more effectively. Customers also want insight, not complexity. Powered by Hive, our smart EV chargers provide real time charging updates and a clear view of charging history, giving customers greater visibility, control and confidence over how they use their energy.

Partnerships are central to delivering practical solutions. Our collaboration with the Irish Farmers’ Association is a strong example of innovation that enables us to bring tailored solar installations to farms nationwide. By working together, we can reach farming communities that are essential to Ireland’s energy transition and help accelerate meaningful progress on the ground.

This customer-focused strategy is underpinned by sustained investment. With Centrica’s support, we’re committing \1 billion between 2024 and 2029 to accelerate Ireland’s energy transition. This investment expands renewable generation, flexible capacity, and household-level electrification technologies, ensuring net zero solutions are accessible to all.

Our Know Your Power platform captures the essence of this transformation. It’s a commitment to demystify energy, put control back in customers’ hands, and bring coherence to our full energy and net zero proposition.

Ireland’s electricity future will be shaped by decisions made in homes, farms, and businesses. Our role is to ensure those decisions are informed, confident, and future focused. Through trusted advice, practical solutions, long-term investment, and partnerships like the IFA, Bord Gáis Energy is empowering households to truly know their power, and to use it to drive Ireland’s journey to net zero.

Catherine Lonergan
Director of Customer and Commercial
Bord Gáis Energy

W: www.bordgaisenergy.ie