Watt Footprint Newsroom
Get the latest in Watt Footprint news and stories
Why Your Pharmaceutical Abatement Systems Could Be Costing More Than They Should
Most pharmaceutical manufacturers installed their VOC abatement systems to meet a compliance requirement and have not revisited them since. With the 2026 Chemical Agents Code of Practice now in operation, there is renewed focus on how solvent emissions are managed on site. That conversation is also, whether sites realise it or not, an energy conversation.
What the Teagasc 2026 Farm Income Report Tells Us About Energy Efficiency in Food and Beverage Manufacturing
The Teagasc 2026 farm income outlook shows average family farm income forecast to fall 38% this year, with energy costs rising across all farm systems. For Irish food and beverage manufacturers, rising costs on the farm do not stay on the farm. Here is what the report means for processors and why energy efficiency in food and beverage manufacturing has never been more relevant.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Irish Hotels and Restaurants: Time and Funding to Get Ahead
New EU rules will eventually require the least efficient commercial buildings in Ireland to be upgraded. For hotels and restaurants, that sounds like a deadline. Looked at properly, it is closer to a runway, with real funding already available to use it well.
New Energy Audit Rules for Irish Hotels and Restaurants: What the October 2026 Deadline Means for You
A new energy rule is about to catch far more Irish hotels and restaurants than the old one ever did. Here is what changed, what a "10 TJ" threshold actually means in plain numbers, and how to find out where your business stands before the October 2026 deadline.
CSRD Ireland: Where Pharma Stands Now
Since the Omnibus 1 Directive narrowed CSRD reporting scope earlier this year, many Irish pharmaceutical companies have been left wondering where they now stand. We take stock of what changed, who is still in scope, and what to watch for as the next milestone approaches.
Ireland's Dairy Processors Are Working Toward a 35% Emissions Reduction by 2030. Here's What's Involved
Irish dairy processors are working toward a 35% emissions reduction by 2030, a steeper goal than the target set for farms. Here's what's driving it and how energy management fits into getting there.
Ireland's Medical Device Sector Is Set for Continued Efficiency Gains Through 2031
Ireland's medical device sector is on track for a fresh wave of efficiency gains between now and 2031. We look at what's behind the numbers, from automation to cleanroom throughput, and what it could mean for manufacturing sites as the sector keeps evolving.
Two trends worth watching in Irish food manufacturing
Irish food manufacturing has quietly become a lot more productive over the last five years. Then energy prices went back up. Two trends, moving in opposite directions, and only one of them is within your control.
Why Operational Excellence Is Now the Most Important Driver of Hotel Returns 2026
The Savills European Hotel Investment Outlook 2026 makes one thing very clear. In the current market, revenue growth alone is no longer enough. The hotels that will outperform are the ones that manage their costs with the same discipline they apply to their top line. Here is what that means in practice.
New stats on Hotel and Restaurant spending in Ireland show a plateau
Consumer spending on restaurants and hotels in Ireland has grown nearly 60 percent since 2021, but new Statista data shows that growth flattening out from 2026. As revenue growth slows, energy costs move from a background overhead to a direct hit on margins, and now is the time to get ahead of it.
How Energy Performance Influences Production Yield
Energy performance can reveal early signs of declining production yield. From unstable heating and excessive motor power to compressed-air issues, irregular cooling and repeated restarts, changes in energy use can point to process inefficiencies before they become larger quality problems.
Energy-Efficiency Funding for Irish Food Manufacturers
Irish food manufacturers can access a range of grants and supports to reduce energy costs, upgrade equipment and invest in lower-carbon technologies. This guide outlines the main SEAI, LEO and Enterprise Ireland funding options available.
Ireland's RevPAR Premium Over the UK Is Real, But GOPPAR Tells the Real Story
Ireland's hotels are beating the UK on RevPAR by nearly £22, and the demand behind that lead looks solid. But RevPAR only measures revenue. GOPPAR shows what actually survives to the bottom line, and across Europe right now, rising costs, energy included, are eating into that gap faster than most owners realise.
How Irish Pharma Manufacturers Can Decarbonise Without Compromising Supply
Decarbonising pharmaceutical manufacturing without compromising supply, compliance or product quality is one of the defining challenges facing Irish pharma sites right now. It was the subject of a dedicated session at the Future in Pharmaceuticals Ireland 2026 conference and it is a conversation that is only getting more urgent. Here is what it actually looks like in practice.
Food Drink Ireland Is Calling on Government to Act on Energy Costs in Budget 2027 - What It Means for Food Manufacturers
Food Drink Ireland has submitted its Budget 2027 recommendations to Government and energy costs feature prominently. With 57% of food and drink manufacturers identifying energy as a major challenge, the submission makes a clear case for targeted intervention. Here is what is being asked for and what it means for the sector.
What Data Centres Have to Do With Your Restaurant's Electricity Bill
Data centres now eat up nearly a quarter of Ireland's electricity, and that pressure feeds straight into your bill. Here's what's driving it, and how restaurants and hotels can get ahead of it.
Ireland's Pharma Sector Is Decoupling Growth from Energy Use - What the 2026 Data Shows
The BioPharmaChem Ireland Sustainability and Responsible Care Report 2026 shows the sector is growing its economic output while reducing its environmental footprint. Total energy consumption is down 3%, electricity-related CO2 is down 30% and VOC emissions have fallen 23% over three years. Here is what those numbers mean for Irish pharma manufacturers.
New Food Safety Authority Regulations for Food Manufacturers in Ireland - What You Need to Know
New EU rules on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods came into force on 1 July 2026. The FSAI has issued guidance to help food businesses comply. For Irish food manufacturers, this is not just a food safety issue. It has direct implications for how facilities are managed, including temperature control and energy use.
Why Operational Excellence Is Now the Most Important Driver of Hotel Returns in 2026
The Savills European Hotel Investment Outlook 2026 makes one thing very clear. In the current market, revenue growth alone is no longer enough. The hotels that will outperform are the ones that manage their costs with the same discipline they apply to their top line. Here is what that means in practice.
56% of Irish CEOs Say Maintaining Profit Is a Major Challenge in 2026 - What It Means for Manufacturers
The Ibec CEO Survey 2026 paints a clear picture of the pressure Irish business leaders are under. For manufacturers in particular, the numbers make for difficult reading. Here is what the data shows and what it means for energy costs on the factory floor.