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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
How corporate power purchase agreements are helping Ireland's large energy users to power success
SSE Airtricity is synonymous with cleaner, greener energy. The company, which was bought by SSE in 2008, has been actively harnessing Ireland's greatest natural resource – wind – ever since, helping to support Ireland's decarbonisation plans. That trusted heritage in renewable energy is why a growing number of the country's leading energy users, from across commercial and industrial sectors, have chosen to enter into corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) with the company. These agreements allow them to purchase renewable electricity under contract, with a guarantee of origin, so they know the electricity provided was generated by a wind farm owned by SSE. Businesses can be confident in their efforts to meet their environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements and their contribution to carbon reduction. And it's not just good news for the environment. It makes good commercial sense too. Signing up to an SSE Airtricity CPPA can help large energy users achieve greater price certainty. By locking in electricity prices for the duration of the contract, such customers are shielded from the volatility of energy markets, allowing for better budgeting and financial planning. It also means they are directly supporting Ireland's energy transition. Because CPPAs provide an additional route to market for generators, independent of the Government-backed Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, they enable new wind farms to be built and existing ones to stay in operation longer. Musgrave – Ireland's leading food retail, wholesale and food service company – has just signed up to an SSE Airtricity CPPA. Together with its retail partners, Musgrave supports more than 41,000 jobs in more than 1,000 stores, offices and distribution centres. These support market leading food and beverage brands such as SuperValu and Centra as well as its wholesale and food service wing, Musgrave Marketplace. In April Musgrave announced a landmark CPPA which will see it purchase 100 per cent of the wind-powered energy from Richfield Wind Farm in Co Wexford and the Bessy Bell 2 Wind Farm in Co Tyrone, both of which are owned and operated by SSE Renewables, a sister company to SSE Airtricity. The energy generated from Richfield Wind Farm and Bessy Bell 2 Wind Farm will help meet the Musgrave Group's electricity needs, including Musgrave offices, 11 distribution centres and 105 SuperValu and Centra retail stores across Ireland. The move is designed to help support Musgrave to decarbonise its operations, manage its energy costs and minimise the financial risk associated with market volatility. 'At Musgrave, we are proud to partner with SSE Airtricity in signing this Corporate Power Purchase Agreement,' says Noel Keeley, chief executive of Musgrave Group. 'This landmark agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey toward net zero, and empowers our SuperValu and Centra stores to meaningfully reduce their environmental impact. Noel Keeley, chief executive of Musgraves and SSE Airtricity's managing director, Stephen Gallagher. 'Our network of stores is deeply committed to driving sustainability and making a positive difference in their local communities. Together with our retail partners we have ambitious plans for our journey to net zero, while supporting the renewable energy sector in Ireland through partnerships like this CPPA.' The first all-island retail CPPA, it was a landmark agreement for the retail sector. 'The partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting businesses in their sustainability journey,' says SSE Airtricity's managing director, Stephen Gallagher. 'As energy partner, our role is to ensure Musgrave has access to reliable renewable energy solutions and that SuperValu and Centra stores can continue to be leaders in sustainability. We look forward to continued collaborations to drive positive environmental impact, supporting a net-zero future for Ireland.' CPPAs are one of a suite of energy solutions that SSE Airtricity offers. These include energy audits, a free survey supported by SEAI to help commercial customers to better understand their energy usage, identifying cost savings, reducing risk and lowering carbon footprint. SSE Airtricity provides solar PV solutions too, including survey and installation for immediate ESG benefits, the potential for cost savings and long-term price stability, as well as the potential to generate revenue through microgeneration. Through funded solar solutions large users can install commercial solar panels via a solar PPA with no upfront cost. SSE Airtricity also offers practical assistance such as the installation of electric vehicle charging points and can tailor energy solutions to meet the specific needs of businesses, supporting sustainability and operational efficiency goals. Its distributed energy solutions meanwhile provide large users with modular energy generation and storage technologies, another fully financed energy solution designed around your needs. The tailored aspect of SSE Airtricity CPPAs, and their ease of use, are important parts of the value proposition. 'A lot of people think this is the realm of Big Tech or data centres because they are very active in this space. But effectively the product we have developed is both personalised and simplified for diverse industry sectors. Each CPPA is completely bespoke and we have worked very hard to simplify the process so that customers have one contract and one single point of contact,' explains David O'Byrne, the company's head of industrial and commercial contracts. 'Each agreement is between one partner and one clean energy solution, which is why each and every one of these agreements is different,' he says. 'We come in, get to know your business, look at demand and usage throughout your organisation on an annualised basis, and then tailor an agreement to suit.' In having an SSE Airtiricty CPPA, organisations are not only securing a reliable source of renewable energy – they're also playing a meaningful role in Ireland's energy transition. In Musgrave's case for example, its agreement directly continues the demand for energy from Richfield Wind Farm, contributing to the extension of life of a key renewable asset. 'A CPPA provides clear, verifiable proof that your business is serious about climate action,' says O'Byrne. 'A CPPA can offer greater price stability, enabling businesses to secure a competitive fixed energy rate for the energy generated over the agreement's term. That support in managing exposure to market fluctuations can make longer-term budgeting more predictable,' he says. 'We only have to remember the impact Russia's invasion of Ukraine had on energy prices to appreciate the value of that. CPPAs also helps protect energy security, another concern for businesses. 'Having a dedicated source of renewable energy, as Musgrave does, provides CPPA customers with greater visibility and assurance over their energy supply. It also reinforces their commitment to sustainability and supports the broader development of renewable infrastructure in Ireland.' Visit for more information.
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of homes at risk of mould & damp through ‘systematic failure' of government scheme – see if yours is affected
TENS of thousands of homes could be at risk of mould and damp thanks to dodgy insulation being installed through Government-backed schemes. Households were encouraged to install the measures through two Government schemes aimed at increasing energy efficiency. 1 A Government audit of the schemes found households could be at risk of mould and damp Credit: Getty But independent body Trustmark previously found "widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation" installed in homes under the schemes. Now the Government has admitted there was a "systematic failure" that could put homes at risk of mould, damp and other serious issues. Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, said in a statement that early evidence suggests a "majority" of installations of solid wall insulation were not done "to the appropriate standard". An audit found examples of poor quality work, including inadequate ventilation or roof-line extensions. The audit is set to be completed later this summer with the results published in the autumn. The two schemes affected are the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme. They were launched by the previous Conservative government in April 2022 and May 2023. The schemes let eligible households apply for free energy-efficiency upgrades, including solid wall insulation, through their energy supplier or local council. They were aimed at keeping homes warmer and lowering bills for households. Solid walls - meaning they have no gaps or cavities - are usually found in properties built before the 1920s. I'm a mum-of-12, I swear by £1.15 bathroom cleaner and £3.25 mould cleaner in our busy house They can be insulated by adding a layer of material to the inside or outside to trap heat. But the initial investigation by Trustmark found: Exposed insulation or poor ventilation that could lead to damp and mould A "very small number" of properties with serious health and safety concerns, such as incorrectly fitted wiring More minor issues, such as missing or incorrect paperwork. What if I'm affected? Not all homes that had this insulation fitted will be unsafe or at risk. If it's thought you've been affected then you'll be contacted automatically by energy regulator Ofgem. The Government previously said households can expect to receive a letter from Ofgem explaining how it will check if your home is impacted. If any issues are found, you will not have to pay to get it fixed - the company that originally installed it will be required to fix it for you. If the firm has gone out of business, you should be covered by a £20,000 guarantee. Ms Fahnbulleh said: "I know this news will be concerning for people who have had external or internal wall insulation fitted through either scheme we have inherited. "That is why we are taking action to put this right, forcing installers to fix any poor-quality installations as soon as possible and at their own expense. "Affected households should look out for a letter from Ofgem, which will set out steps to resolve any issues." How else can I insulate my home? There are plenty of other safe ways to help insulate your home. You could try adding a layer of mineral wool or sheep wool to your loft or in your roof. It costs around £900 to insulate a semi-detached home with 270mm of loft insulation, according to the Energy Saving Trust, but it could save you around £230 a year, meaning you would make the cost back in around three years. Avoid getting spray foam insulation installed, as this could actually damage your home and make it difficult to sell. You can also draught-proof your windows and doors yourself on the cheap to prevent heat escaping to save around £40 a year. A roll of draught insulation tape costs around £5, or you can get a professional in for around £250. Inefficient boilers can also cost you money on your energy bills.
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Our actress daughter, 30, died days after twice being misdiagnosed by ‘substitute doctor'
THE family of an actress who died after being misdiagnosed twice by "substitute doctors" have slammed a Government-backed review. Emily Chesterton's parents said the report was a "missed opportunity" after their daughter, 30, , which wasn't picked up in two separate appointment s. 5 Emily Chesterton visited her doctors on two occasions with calf pain and shortness of breath – but was misdiagnosed Credit: Lily Barnes 5 Emily Chesterton (front right) with her mother Marion, father Brendan, and sister Jasmine Credit: PA Emily visited her doctor's surgery in north London twice in the space of a week between October and November 2022 to discuss discomfort in her left calf. She mistakenly believed she had seen a GP, but she was actually assessed by two physician associates (PA) - a newer type of medical role that involves significantly less training . Both PAs failed to recognise the blood clot, instead prescribing the musical theatre performer, from Greater Manchester, paracetamol and medication for anxiety. She collapsed and died hours after her second appointment, with the undiagnosed clot in her leg triggering a pulmonary embolism - which occurs when one of the arteries in the lung is blocked. Today, a Marion and Brendan Chesterton welcomed the recommendations, which they claimed would have prevented Emily's death if they had been in place when she became ill. But they also called for further action to be taken to stop PAs prescribing drugs to patients. Marion told Most read in Health "But we feel it's a missed opportunity. It could have gone all the way there and cleared things up totally. "Our daughter died. She was prescribed a drug that she should not have been prescribed. "And it had absolutely catastrophic circumstances. She died for goodness sake." The Leng Review pointed to the fact that PAs - of which there are more than 3,500 working in the NHS - were being misused as substitutes for doctors. Junior Doctors Announce Five-Day Strike in July Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute Emily first visited her local surgery on October 31 complaining about pain in her calf and shortness of breath. She was advised to take On November 7, a second PA diagnosed her with a calf sprain, After discussing the fact she was struggling to walk more than a few steps and her leg was swollen and hot, Emily was prescribed propranolol - a beta blocker for heart problems and anxiety. She reassured her concerned parents that she had been seen because neither PA had made it clear they were not doctors. Mr Chesterton added: "She never knew. "If she come out and said I've seen someone called the physician's associate I'm sure we would have insisted that, you know, let's go back and insist that you see a doctor." The Leng Review recommended that PAs are renamed to "physician assistants" to identify them "as a supportive, complementary member of the medical team". Presnting her findings, Professor Leng said: "Relatives feel strongly that confusion between the PA role and that of the doctor was an important contributory factor in their relatives' deaths. "They were clear that, had they known a doctor had not been consulted, they would have responded differently and sought further help. 5 Emily mistakenly reassured her concerned parents that she had been seen by a doctor Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk What is a physician associate? A PHYSICIAN associate works alongside doctors in GP surgeries or hospitals to diagnose or treat patients. Unlike doctors, people in these jobs do not hold a medical degree. However, PAs do have to undergo two years of intense training for the role. They are usually science graduates or can be allied health professionals, such as nurses or midwives. PAs can: Take medical histories from patients Ask patients about their symptoms Perform physical examinations Diagnose illnesses See patients with long-term chronic conditions Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Analyse test results Discuss treatment plans Develop management plans Provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients But they should always be supervised by doctors. PAs are not currently regulated by a medical body, like many other healthcare professionals are. They can, however, join a voluntary register with the Royal College of Physicians. With no obligatory register, any who malpractice cannot formally be struck off, for example. However, under a planned new law, PAs will be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC). Not everyone is happy about this, though. The British Medical Association (BMA) believes this could lead to patients confusing the different roles, which could have "tragic consequences". There are about 3,200 PAs working in GP surgeries and hospitals in England, with 10,000 more planned in the next decade or so. "Sadly, no one can turn back the clock, but I have listened to their experiences to help make improvements for the future . "The NHS now has more types of role than any other healthcare system in the world, and care must be taken to ensure that these roles are understood by the public and by staff." According to the NHS careers website, PAs "support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients". They usually complete a bioscience-related degree before undertaking a two-year integrated master's course. Registered healthcare workers, like nurses or Most PAs work at GP surgeries and in A&E, and are supposed to be "under the supervision of a doctor". While they carry out similar roles, they don't have the same medical training so are not direct substitutes. To become a GP, you complete four to six years of medical school before a two-year foundation training programme. Read more on the Irish Sun You can then apply to GP speciality training, which takes a minimum of three years, and pass several assessments. The Faculty of Physician Associates makes it clear that PAs "are not doctors" and "do not replace medical roles". 5 The Leng Review has called for large scale changes to the role of physician assistants Credit: Getty 5 Emily Chesterton (right) died from a pulmonary embolism after being misdiagnosed Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Our actress daughter, 30, died days after twice being misdiagnosed by ‘substitute doctor'
She died just hours after a follow-up appointment at her local surgery 'MISSED OPPORTUNITY' Our actress daughter, 30, died days after twice being misdiagnosed by 'substitute doctor' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE family of an actress who died after being misdiagnosed twice by "substitute doctors" have slammed a Government-backed review. Emily Chesterton's parents said the report was a "missed opportunity" after their daughter, 30, tragically passed away from a blood clot, which wasn't picked up in two separate appointments. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Emily Chesterton visited her doctors on two occasions with calf pain and shortness of breath – but was misdiagnosed Credit: Lily Barnes 5 Emily Chesterton (front right) with her mother Marion, father Brendan, and sister Jasmine Credit: PA Emily visited her doctor's surgery in north London twice in the space of a week between October and November 2022 to discuss discomfort in her left calf. She mistakenly believed she had seen a GP, but she was actually assessed by two physician associates (PA) - a newer type of medical role that involves significantly less training. Both PAs failed to recognise the blood clot, instead prescribing the musical theatre performer, from Greater Manchester, paracetamol and medication for anxiety. She collapsed and died hours after her second appointment, with the undiagnosed clot in her leg triggering a pulmonary embolism - which occurs when one of the arteries in the lung is blocked. Today, a review into the role of PAs, led by Professor Gillian Leng, has recommended banning them from diagnosing patients who have not already been seen by a doctor. Marion and Brendan Chesterton welcomed the recommendations, which they claimed would have prevented Emily's death if they had been in place when she became ill. But they also called for further action to be taken to stop PAs prescribing drugs to patients. Marion told Sky News: "We're so pleased that this review has been made. "But we feel it's a missed opportunity. It could have gone all the way there and cleared things up totally. "Our daughter died. She was prescribed a drug that she should not have been prescribed. "And it had absolutely catastrophic circumstances. She died for goodness sake." The Leng Review pointed to the fact that PAs - of which there are more than 3,500 working in the NHS - were being misused as substitutes for doctors. Junior Doctors Announce Five-Day Strike in July Amid Ongoing Pay Dispute Emily first visited her local surgery on October 31 complaining about pain in her calf and shortness of breath. She was advised to take paracetamol. On November 7, a second PA diagnosed her with a calf sprain, long Covid and anxiety. After discussing the fact she was struggling to walk more than a few steps and her leg was swollen and hot, Emily was prescribed propranolol - a beta blocker for heart problems and anxiety. She reassured her concerned parents that she had been seen because neither PA had made it clear they were not doctors. Mr Chesterton added: "She never knew. "If she come out and said I've seen someone called the physician's associate I'm sure we would have insisted that, you know, let's go back and insist that you see a doctor." The Leng Review recommended that PAs are renamed to "physician assistants" to identify them "as a supportive, complementary member of the medical team". Presnting her findings, Professor Leng said: "Relatives feel strongly that confusion between the PA role and that of the doctor was an important contributory factor in their relatives' deaths. "They were clear that, had they known a doctor had not been consulted, they would have responded differently and sought further help. 5 Emily mistakenly reassured her concerned parents that she had been seen by a doctor Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk What is a physician associate? A PHYSICIAN associate works alongside doctors in GP surgeries or hospitals to diagnose or treat patients. Unlike doctors, people in these jobs do not hold a medical degree. However, PAs do have to undergo two years of intense training for the role. They are usually science graduates or can be allied health professionals, such as nurses or midwives. PAs can: Take medical histories from patients Ask patients about their symptoms Perform physical examinations Diagnose illnesses See patients with long-term chronic conditions Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Analyse test results Discuss treatment plans Develop management plans Provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients But they should always be supervised by doctors. PAs are not currently regulated by a medical body, like many other healthcare professionals are. They can, however, join a voluntary register with the Royal College of Physicians. With no obligatory register, any who malpractice cannot formally be struck off, for example. However, under a planned new law, PAs will be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC). Not everyone is happy about this, though. The British Medical Association (BMA) believes this could lead to patients confusing the different roles, which could have "tragic consequences". There are about 3,200 PAs working in GP surgeries and hospitals in England, with 10,000 more planned in the next decade or so. "Sadly, no one can turn back the clock, but I have listened to their experiences to help make improvements for the future. "The NHS now has more types of role than any other healthcare system in the world, and care must be taken to ensure that these roles are understood by the public and by staff." According to the NHS careers website, PAs "support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients". They usually complete a bioscience-related degree before undertaking a two-year integrated master's course. Registered healthcare workers, like nurses or midwives, can also apply to become PAs. Most PAs work at GP surgeries and in A&E, and are supposed to be "under the supervision of a doctor". While they carry out similar roles, they don't have the same medical training so are not direct substitutes. To become a GP, you complete four to six years of medical school before a two-year foundation training programme. You can then apply to GP speciality training, which takes a minimum of three years, and pass several assessments. The Faculty of Physician Associates makes it clear that PAs "are not doctors" and "do not replace medical roles". 5 The Leng Review has called for large scale changes to the role of physician assistants Credit: Getty
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Our actress daughter, 30, died days after twice being misdiagnosed by ‘substitute doctor'
THE family of an actress who died after being misdiagnosed twice by "substitute doctors" have slammed a Government-backed review. Emily Chesterton's parents said the report was a "missed opportunity" after their daughter, 30, tragically passed away from a blood clot, which wasn't picked up in two separate appointments. Emily visited her doctor's surgery in north London twice in the space of a week between October and November 2022 to discuss discomfort in her left calf. She mistakenly believed she had seen a GP, but she was actually assessed by two physician associates (PA) - a newer type of medical role that involves significantly less training. Both PAs failed to recognise the blood clot, instead prescribing the musical theatre performer, from Greater Manchester, paracetamol and medication for anxiety. She collapsed and died hours after her second appointment, with the undiagnosed clot in her leg triggering a pulmonary embolism - which occurs when one of the arteries in the lung is blocked. Today, a review into the role of PAs, led by Professor Gillian Leng, has recommended banning them from diagnosing patients who have not already been seen by a doctor. Marion and Brendan Chesterton welcomed the recommendations, which they claimed would have prevented Emily's death if they had been in place when she became ill. But they also called for further action to be taken to stop PAs prescribing drugs to patients. Marion told Sky News: "We're so pleased that this review has been made. "But we feel it's a missed opportunity. It could have gone all the way there and cleared things up totally. "Our daughter died. She was prescribed a drug that she should not have been prescribed. "And it had absolutely catastrophic circumstances. She died for goodness sake." The Leng Review pointed to the fact that PAs - of which there are more than 3,500 working in the NHS - were being misused as substitutes for doctors. Emily first visited her local surgery on October 31 complaining about pain in her calf and shortness of breath. She was advised to take paracetamol. On November 7, a second PA diagnosed her with a calf sprain, long Covid and anxiety. After discussing the fact she was struggling to walk more than a few steps and her leg was swollen and hot, Emily was prescribed propranolol - a beta blocker for heart problems and anxiety. She reassured her concerned parents that she had been seen because neither PA had made it clear they were not doctors. Mr Chesterton added: "She never knew. "If she come out and said I've seen someone called the physician's associate I'm sure we would have insisted that, you know, let's go back and insist that you see a doctor." The Leng Review recommended that PAs are renamed to "physician assistants" to identify them "as a supportive, complementary member of the medical team". Presnting her findings, Professor Leng said: "Relatives feel strongly that confusion between the PA role and that of the doctor was an important contributory factor in their relatives' deaths. "They were clear that, had they known a doctor had not been consulted, they would have responded differently and sought further help. 5 What is a physician associate? A PHYSICIAN associate works alongside doctors in GP surgeries or hospitals to diagnose or treat patients. Unlike doctors, people in these jobs do not hold a medical degree. However, PAs do have to undergo two years of intense training for the role. They are usually science graduates or can be allied health professionals, such as nurses or midwives. PAs can: Take medical histories from patients Ask patients about their symptoms Perform physical examinations Diagnose illnesses See patients with long-term chronic conditions Perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Analyse test results Discuss treatment plans Develop management plans Provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients But they should always be supervised by doctors. PAs are not currently regulated by a medical body, like many other healthcare professionals are. They can, however, join a voluntary register with the Royal College of Physicians. With no obligatory register, any who malpractice cannot formally be struck off, for example. However, under a planned new law, PAs will be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC). Not everyone is happy about this, though. The British Medical Association (BMA) believes this could lead to patients confusing the different roles, which could have "tragic consequences". There are about 3,200 PAs working in GP surgeries and hospitals in England, with 10,000 more planned in the next decade or so. "Sadly, no one can turn back the clock, but I have listened to their experiences to help make improvements for the future. "The NHS now has more types of role than any other healthcare system in the world, and care must be taken to ensure that these roles are understood by the public and by staff." According to the NHS careers website, PAs"support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients". They usually complete a bioscience-related degree before undertaking a two-year integrated master's course. Registered healthcare workers, like nurses or midwives, can also apply to become PAs. Most PAs work at GP surgeries and in A&E, and are supposed to be "under the supervision of a doctor". While they carry out similar roles, they don't have the same medical training so are not direct substitutes. To become a GP, you complete four to six years of medical school before a two-year foundation training programme. You can then apply to GP speciality training, which takes a minimum of three years, and pass several assessments. The Faculty of Physician Associates makes it clear that PAs "are not doctors" and "do not replace medical roles". 5 5
