Nearly three quarters of UK and Irish businesses are delaying major energy decisions while waiting for greater certainty, according to new research from Centrica Business Solutions.
The Power Paradox report, based on a survey of 500 organisations across the UK and Ireland, finds businesses struggling to balance decarbonisation ambitions with rising costs, resilience concerns and growing market uncertainty.
Some 30% of respondents say they are unlikely to meet their 2030 emissions targets, with technology complexity, geopolitical instability and grid constraints identified as the biggest obstacles.
Despite the delays, appetite for change is growing. More than eight in ten businesses say they are open to experimenting with new technologies, up from 58% in 2025.
Energy is also rising up the boardroom agenda, with 69% saying rising costs and resilience risks are pushing the issue to leadership level. A further 41% believe AI will be responsible for most operational energy decisions within three years.
Organisational barriers are proving as significant as technical ones. Two thirds of businesses say internal resistance to change poses a bigger threat to energy strategy than technology or funding.
In response, 79% are implementing cross-functional energy teams and 69% are already using external partners to fill skills gaps.
Colin Brown, Operations Director at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “Businesses are under pressure from every angle. They are trying to decarbonise, manage costs and strengthen resilience at the same time, all while operating in an increasingly volatile environment.
“The challenge is no longer ambition but uncertainty around infrastructure, investment and market conditions is making it harder to act decisively.”
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