Sharon McManus
Group Head of Sustainability, ESB
Rob Crabbe
Group Sponsorship and PR Manager, ESB
Orla Gallagher
CSR Manager, ESB
For ESB, powering Ireland extends beyond the company’s core business of energy — it’s about supporting people, places and the planet through CSR.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a commitment by organisations to be held accountable — to themselves, their employees, customers and the wider community. For some companies, CSR is a box to be ticked, but for others, it’s integral to their entire operation.
Importance of CSR
Sharon McManus, Group Head of Sustainability, oversees ESB’s broader sustainability strategy, which is built around three key pillars: Planet, Place and People. “CSR means taking responsibility for our impact on the planet, supporting the places and people we serve and being transparent about our progress. We’re committed to accelerating the transition to net zero, ensuring communities are included and supported and engaging openly every step of the way.”
McManus also explains how their CSR is aimed at delivering tangible outcomes, ensuring all stakeholders benefit from this engagement and investment.
“We know the energy transition will only succeed if it’s supported by the communities we serve,” says McManus. “As a prominent employer within Ireland and a semi-state entity, we take supporting communities through this change very seriously.”
Sponsorship activities
The company’s sponsorship portfolio plays a prominent role in supporting local communities, with partnerships designed to reinforce its net-zero mission and reflect its commitment to education, sustainability and a positive local community.
“Sponsorship allows us to connect with communities where we operate and support them on their sustainability journey,” explains Rob Crabbe, Group Sponsorship and PR Manager. One example is Science Blast, delivered by the RDS, an initiative to develop children’s interest and skills in STEM subjects, encouraging them to consider STEM career paths.
“Seventy thousand primary school students have gone through this programme since 2019,” explains Crabbe, “inspiring curiosity about the world we live in through questions and presenting their findings at showcase events.” Employees are actively involved through judging and support activities.
Another example is the Quavers to Quadratics programme, presented by the National Concert Hall, which explores the intersection of music and science through hands-on workshops. It has engaged over 8,000 students nationwide, supporting creative and accessible STEM education.
CSR means taking responsibility for our impact on the planet,
supporting the places and people we serve and being transparent about our progress.
Funding opportunities and initiatives
Funding opportunities through the company’s CSR programme support initiatives that address social inclusion, education, access to employment, homelessness and global outreach. “Our north star is stepping forward on social responsibility, making decisions and investments that improve people’s lives and strengthen the communities we serve,” explains Orla Gallagher, CSR Manager.
The Energy for Generations fund, for example, has supported over 800 projects since its foundation. Recent highlights include support of TU Dublin TrailblazHER, a dynamic initiative advancing gender equality through mentorship and scholarships, and EPIC, a Business in the Community Ireland programme supporting refugees and migrants into education and employment.
ElectricAid is an ESB and EirGrid employee- and retiree-funded charity founded by volunteers in 1987, which has supported over 2,500 projects globally with a total value of more than €25 million. “The charity is entirely employee-run, generating great pride and energy throughout our organisations, and has funded 59 projects this year, including €100,000 for the Gaza humanitarian emergency appeal and urgent aid for Valencia and Myanmar,” comments Gallagher.
CSR has been embedded within the company since its foundation almost 100 years ago in 1927. This strong sense of purpose is reflected not only through the volunteering, sponsorship and funding initiatives supported, but also in their recent celebration of 20 years of the Energy for Generation Fund, which saw charity partners welcomed to their Dublin headquarters to celebrate over €20 million awarded to projects around Ireland over the past two decades.
