ESB Networks is aiming to further boost energy awareness across County Louth, with five local schools taking part in this year’s expanded Weather Watch Schools Programme.
The programme is bringing energy education to more students across the county, with participating pupils reporting a significant increase in their understanding of how weather impacts renewable energy. Evaluation shows that understanding of the link between weather and renewable generation grew by 50 percent, while almost half of students said they had spoken to their parents about energy use at home.
ESB Networks announced the expansion of the Weather Watch Schools Programme following strong uptake in Louth. The initiative is designed for Junior Cycle and Transition Year geography students and links weather patterns to renewable electricity generation in an engaging and practical way.
The Louth schools taking part this year are Drogheda Grammar School, Our Lady’s College, Sacred Heart Secondary School, St Mary’s College and De La Salle College. Each participating school receives a free in-class weather station, allowing students to monitor real-time weather conditions and learn how these affect electricity generation and consumption. Students also gain access to tailored educational materials.
Evaluation from last year highlighted the programme’s strong educational impact and its influence beyond the classroom. Seventy three percent of students showed improved awareness of energy use, while more than 75 percent were able to correctly identify peak electricity demand times, up from 33 percent before taking part. Nearly half of students reported discussing electricity use at home within the previous month.
This year’s programme introduces new learning modules focused on Ireland’s wind farms. Using OS maps and aerial imagery, students examine how physical geography influences site selection and assess the social and environmental benefits of wind energy.
Lindsay Sharpe, Customer and Strategy Manager at ESB Networks, said the expansion reflects the enthusiasm shown by both students and teachers.
She said ESB Networks is pleased to expand the Weather Watch programme and to see students not only increasing their understanding of the link between energy use and renewable generation, but actively engaging with the topic and starting meaningful conversations about energy use in their everyday lives. She added that the programme has grown from a classroom initiative into an important part of ESB Networks’ Networks for Net Zero strategy and plays a key role in shaping a more sustainable future.
The initiative also supports ESB Networks’ Is This a Good Time? campaign, which encourages smarter electricity use by raising awareness of peak demand times. By linking classroom learning with real-world application, Weather Watch helps students understand how Ireland’s climate connects to its renewable energy future and empowers them to bring sustainability thinking into their homes and communities.
