Newsroom

• This is the first collaboration in a series of commercial pledges that will see An Post reduce electricity demand by 30MWh over the winter 
• An Post pledges to charge only 50% of its Electric fleet during the 5pm to 7pm peak

Issued: Friday 4th November 2022

Today, An Post and ESB Networks announce they will collaborate closely over the winter period 2022/23 in support of ESB Networks’ second Beat the Peak initiative which aims to encourage organisations to pledge their commitment to help Beat the Peak.  An Post is the first business in Ireland to take a series of pledges as part of ESB Networks’ ‘Beat the Peak’ initiative. 

ESB Networks is working with a range of companies, large and small, on the steps they might take to move their electricity consumption away from peak times. An Post has put measures in place to significantly reduce their peak electricity consumption while fully maintaining the letters, parcels and financial services they provide to their customers. 

• Working with ESB Networks, three initiatives are now in place to enable An Post reduce their electricity demand by over 30 MWh during the peak national usage time of 5pm to 7pm this winter:
• All lighting to be fitted with energy efficient bulbs by the end of this year
• No automated heating systems will exceed 19 degrees Celsius, and a similar fix will be developed for manual systems
• An Post will stagger recharging schedules so that only 50% of its Electric Vehicle fleet will be charged between 5pm and 7pm; all non-essential equipment and technology in Post Offices, mails depots and other buildings such as the GPO will be switched off fully overnight (ie not left on standby) and all decorative (ie non-security or operational) lighting will be turned off at 6pm. 

All this will be achieved without any impact on An Post’s renowned service quality. 

Commenting on this collaboration, Nicola Woods, Chief Transformation Officer at An Post said:

“This Beat the Peak pledge gives renewed impetus to the huge steps we have already taken to reduce energy usage in An Post.  We encourage every Irish business to get involved by taking actions now to ensure there is enough power available for those people who really need it at peak times this winter, to help protect our planet and to reduce costs.  Every small step combines to make a big difference, locally and nationally.  We’re also encouraging our 9,000+ employees to get involved in the domestic Beat the Peak challenge, helping us all to leave a mark we can be proud of.”

Dr Ellen Diskin, Head of ESB Networks’ National Network, Local Connections Programme, adds:

“It is a pleasure to join forces with An Post, who are our first commercial partner to join Beat The Peak. Like ESB Networks, the company has deep roots in every Irish community with a strong record of delivering on sustainability. The company clearly shares our belief in the benefits of beating the peak, for our society and the environment.  This commercial sector initiative complements the successful launch of our domestic Beat the Peak pilot last week (‘Is This a Good Time?’ Pilot). We have been encouraged by the strong levels of interest among families across Ireland, who want to take control of their electricity consumption this winter.  Now we are encouraging all businesses - large and small - to get involved.” 

More information of how your company can get in involved can be found at www.esbnetworks.ie/pledge