Powering the Future: What Every Business Needs to Know About the Energy Transition

31 May

We spoke with Michelle McKenna, Head of Sustainability Partnerships at Pinergy, to get her take on the energy transition — what is driving it, why businesses can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines, and the practical steps any organisation can start taking today.

Michelle McKenna spent five years in the tech sector before stepping back and coming across a course with Wind Energy Ireland. The innovation, the growth and the positive impact of projects had her hooked from day one. She saw an opportunity to use her diverse experience to make a difference and has not looked back since.

Today, as Head of Sustainability Partnerships at Pinergy, that is exactly what she does on a daily basis. The growth of the renewable space in Ireland and the demand for skilled workers, she believes, is a real opportunity for all of us to do more.

Her favourite success story from her work so far is All-In-All Ingredients, a business that has fully embraced Pinergy's Solar PV, data measurement for utilities and renewable electricity, while also reducing their packaging, introducing pollinators and monitoring their solar production.

Outside of work, Michelle stays connected to the space as a lifelong learner, engaging in new activities and networks to increase her knowledge of everything from Solar PV to innovations in the Irish renewable energy space. A growing number of government-funded Springboard programmes gives her hope that more people are moving into this space and that Ireland can improve its green credentials across the whole island.

For businesses just starting out, her advice is straightforward: Talk to other people in your industry, see what is working for them, and make it your own. Share the wins within your organisation and your wider community. It is amazing how much you can learn.

🔎 What is the energy transition and why does it matter?

Energy transition is the global shift in how we produce, distribute, and consume energy — moving away from fossil fuels towards more sustainable models. It matters because it sits at the intersection of climate change, energy security, and growing business demand for reliable, affordable power.

🔎 What are the key pillars driving the energy transition?

The transition is built on six core pillars:

Moving away from fossil fuels
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Embracing efficient technologies and smarter energy behaviours
Electrifying heat and transport
Scaling innovations like energy storage
Implementing forward-looking policies such as Climate Action Plans, ESG, and CSRD

🔎 Why is moving away from fossil fuels urgent?

CO₂ is being released faster than at any point in the last 66 million years, with warming effects equivalent to hundreds of thousands of atomic bombs’ worth of energy daily. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels is essential to limit global warming and protect long-term economic and environmental stability.

🔎 How will rising energy demand impact businesses?

Energy demand is expected to grow by around 60% over the next 20 years, driven by data storage, AI, and other energy-intensive activities. At the same time, geopolitical volatility is driving price fluctuations, putting pressure on margins and increasing the need for energy certainty and control.

🔎 What practical steps can businesses take?

Businesses can take immediate action by:

Conducting energy audits to identify savings and investment opportunities
Implementing energy management strategies to measure and reduce consumption
Investing in Solar PV, with typical payback periods of 2-3 years

Exploring battery storage to improve resilience
Making simple efficiency changes like LED lighting, temperature control, and smart sensors

🔎 How can sustainability efforts create business value?

Effective energy management reduces costs, improves energy security, and enhances brand value. Sharing progress across the value chain builds credibility, while engaging employees in sustainability initiatives drives cultural change, boosts retention, and increases overall organisational performance.

🔎 What’s the bigger opportunity?

The energy transition is not just a challenge—it’s an opportunity for businesses to lead. By acting proactively, organisations can reduce risk, drive innovation, and position themselves as leaders in a more sustainable, competitive future.

Michelle McKenna ‍
Head of Sustainability Partnerships, Pinergy
in

Michelle leads sustainability partnerships at Pinergy, working with businesses across Ireland to navigate the shift to cleaner, more affordable energy. Her work spans renewable energy strategy, energy consumption audit, and helping organisations make sense of ESG and sustainability obligations.

Kajal Swarup