ESB ready to tap bond market this year if conditions allow

Group says one-year forward wholesale gas prices remain three times higher that pre-crisis

More than 65pc of the leap in profitability was due to ESB operations in the UK

John Mulligan

The ESB is ready to tap the market with a fresh bond offering this year if the right conditions prevail, according to chief financial officer Paul Stapleton. The group issued a €350m bond in January.

The ESB has significant financing requirements in the coming years as it spends billions of euros on network upgrades and renewable energy projects.