Why EPCs are not fit for purpose and MUST change – by boss of the firm that trains a million EPC assessors in Britain every year

Stuart Fairlie

Stuart Fairlie, Managing Director, Elmhurst Energy

Landlords are waiting for Labour – 100 days in power and counting – to decide on the future of energy performance certificates (EPCs).

It’s a monumental call, given that Keir Starmer has pledged to upgrade 19 million of the UK’s most poorly insulated homes.

The questions are many … how do we incentivise people to switch to low carbon heating? Should there be structured bonuses for taking on a green mortgage? How big a workforce, indeed skillset, will be needed to deliver net zero? Who trains the craftsmen? Who funds it all? And that for starters.

But I believe passionately that EPCs should be at the heart of deliberations as a policy tool for benchmarking and tracking progress – and here are four principles that Labour should follow:

  1. Change the EPC. Elmhurst believes strongly that the current EPC requires an update as it simply shows the energy cost of a property – i.e. how cheap or expensive a home might be to run on an A to G rating scale and based on a standard occupancy model. We have been calling for a change to the EPC since 2019. Thankfully, the government has now said a consultation on what the ‘New EPC’ might measure and how it could look will arrive before the end of 2024. This is very good news.
  1. Communicate EPCs more clearly with homeowners. EPCs should highlight the ‘Three Cs’: energy cost, energy consumption, and carbon emissions to homeowners. The EPC should also give information about possible energy efficiency improvements which includes low carbon heating solutions, as well as tips for reducing bills. It should also be renewed much more frequently than every 10 years – the current timescale has resulted in vast numbers of EPCs being significantly out of date.
  1. Incentivise low carbon heating solutions. One of the best ways to achieve this is by rebalancing tax to favour electricity over gas, helping to make the case for a move away from fossil fuels. Moreover, the Energy Efficiency Taskforce could at the same time work with financial institutions to make green mortgages and green loans even more attractive to homeowners deliberating on making the switch.
  1. Focus on net zero and energy efficiency training. Elmhurst has a total of approximately 15,000 energy assessors registered, of which around 7,600 are domestic energy assessors (DEAs). Together, Elmhurst’s DEAs lodged around one million EPCs in 2023. EPC reform looks set to focus on training and competency levels – something we welcome at Elmhurst as we place a big focus on continuing professional development and training to fill gaps in technical competence. However, we know the issue of equipping the UK with skills for net zero is much broader than this and a joined up approach guided by a Taskforce would support here.

EPCs are a crucial part of Britain’s delivery and progress tracking of our Net Zero 2050 target. They’re not fit for purpose at the moment and changing them to do the job properly is a must.

Stuart Fairlie is Managing Director at Elmhurst Energy, the UK’s largest independent provider of energy assessment, retrofit and property professional training, software and accreditation.

Delivering excellence every day…

CBFM Announces Expansion into M&E Installation and Maintenance Across the Northeast

CBFM, a long-established local firm in the Northeast, is set to further expand its operations in the commercial and institutional buildings sector. The company will offer bespoke installation and maintenance contracts for full HVAC services including commercial heating and air conditioning with an emphasis on delivery service excellence and energy efficiency.

With a strong customer base in the healthcare, manufacturing, and commercial office sectors, CBFM aims to broaden its service offerings. Based at the Team Valley Trading Estate for many years, CBFM plans to increase its highly skilled workforce of trained and qualified technicians. The expanded services will include site surveys, calculation drawings, installation and maintenance work schedules, and emergency callouts. Specific services encompass the design, installation, and commissioning of air conditioning and cooling systems, heating systems, and hot water delivery systems.

A company spokesperson,Harl Bowman, stated, “We have built our reputation on service excellence, ensuring the job is done with minimal fuss. Our team of highly trained and qualified engineers consistently deliver outstanding results.”

A satisfied customer said, “CBFM manages numerous sites for us in the Northeast, from single comms room systems to a 220-bedroom hotel. The CBFM team is proficient in their work and communication with our customers. They are a first-class company to partner with.”

Another customer highlighted CBFM’s high standards, saying, “We engaged CBFM for various building services at one of the largest hotels in the Northeast, including: Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing, Catering Equipment & Extraction, Cellar Cooling.

“The new ventilation system provides guest bedrooms with an energy-efficient, low-noise solution. Heat Recovery Units and the required ductwork and grills were installed by CBFM’s specialist teams. The climate control air conditioning system now supplies both heating and cooling to the function room, ensuring optimal comfort for guests and staff at large events. Concealed air conditioning units maintain the room’s aesthetics while providing the necessary temperatures. All units were supplied and installed by CBFM’s highly professional air conditioning installation teams.

CBFM’s Gas Safe commercial heating teams also installed the commercial boiler and cylinder, providing essential services to the kitchen and washrooms, along with LPG gas for the kitchen catering equipment.

For the company Dean Baardman added, “Being based in the heart of the North East allows us to be onsite quickly and deliver service excellence to our clients and customers.

This is the ethos we live by—delivering excellence, everyday”

For more information of CBFM services visit https://cbfmheating.co.uk/

Vital Energi drives net zero goals at Sandwell General Hospital

Image: Sandwell General Hospital

Vital Energi has partnered with Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWB) NHS Trust to deliver a decarbonisation solution which will reduce the carbon footprint of Sandwell General Hospital by over 2,000 tonnes a year, as part of the Trust’s journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

The project includes the installation of a 1MW air and water source heat pump system, which will significantly reduce the hospital’s reliance on fossil fuels by providing low carbon heating and cooling into the hospital.

Over 1,000 light fittings across the hospital are being upgraded to energy-efficient LEDs, which not only reduces energy consumption but also enhances the environment for patients and staff by improving lighting quality and comfort.

Vital Energi is also improving the energy efficiency of the hospital buildings by upgrading building fabric, windows, roofs, and pipework insulation, which will help prevent heat loss, reduce draughts, and lower overall energy bills, contributing to more sustainable buildings.

As a result of these combined measures, Sandwell General Hospital is expected to reduce its carbon emissions by 2,000 tonnes each year, which is the equivalent to taking nearly 2,000 petrol cars off the road a year.

The project received grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Fran Silcocks, Head of Sustainability at SWB NHS Trust, said:

“We are proud to be taking such significant steps to improve our environmental impact.

“By investing in cutting-edge technologies like heat pumps and other energy efficiency measures, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also creating a more sustainable healthcare system that will benefit the community for years to come.

“These energy efficiency projects mark a major step in the Trust’s commitment to greener healthcare operations and support the NHS’s broader goals for a Net Zero Health Service.”

Steve Black, Account Director at Vital Energi, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust to deliver this innovative energy solution, which not only supports the Trust’s commitment to reaching net zero but also helps create a more sustainable healthcare environment, and a more comfortable environment for patients, staff, and visitors. By combining renewable technologies with comprehensive energy conservation measures, we are demonstrating the tangible benefits of decarbonisation in healthcare settings.”

This partnership highlights Vital Energi’s commitment to delivering innovative energy solutions that drive sustainability in the healthcare sector, helping organisations meet their environmental goals while improving operational efficiency.

The project will be delivered through the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework, which has been specifically created to fund complex energy infrastructure upgrades for public sector organisations.

About Vital Energi

Vital Energi provide a comprehensive range of energy related services, systems, and solutions. With over 30 years’ experience, they have in-house capability to design, install, operate and own decentralised energy generation and multi-utility network distribution schemes, including some of the UK’s largest and longest established district heating networks. As well as owning our own assets, we provide tailored energy management schemes to manage, measure, and reduce energy consumption, they design and install the latest renewable and low carbon technologies, from heat pumps and solar PV farms, to battery storage and waste heat recovery, and they have started to build their first Waste to Energy plant at a site in Drakelow, Derbyshire. Their solutions provide long term cost benefits for clients across a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, industry, commercial, new build, and existing residential. 

If you would like to know more about Vital Energi please visit: www.vitalenergi.co.uk.

Water stress and scarcity is a growing concern for countries all over the world, even here in the UK with our famously damp climate.

Photo by Skitterphoto

Resources are starting to buckle under the combined pressures of population growth, climate change, extreme weather events, water mismanagement and ageing infrastructure, much of which dates back to the Victorian era.

As such, it’s essential that wide-ranging water conservation solutions are found and implemented in order to safeguard resources for the future.

The good news is that there’s a lot that can be achieved, including the likes of rainwater harvesting, grey water use, awareness campaigns, water recycling, automated meter reading, sustainable appliances and so on.

But one of the more immediate ways in which water can be conserved is through water leak detection and repair – something that, it seems, is of paramount importance given new figures showing that more than one trillion litres of water was lost to leakage by water companies in England and Wales in 2023.

An Observer review found that the worst-performing supplier was Thames Water, leaking 570.4 megalitres (one million litres) of water per day last year, totalling 200 billion litres – or just under a water of its entire water supply.

United Utilities, meanwhile, leaked over 175 billion litres, Severn Trent lost almost 139 billion, Yorkshire Water leaked 94.9 billion, Welsh Water 90.8 billion, Anglian Water 66.4 billion and Affinity Water 56 billion litres.

Thames Water has long been facing significant pressure, placed under special measures in July, with over £15 billion worth of debt now amassed. Over the summer, the company said some £19 billion worth of its assets – which includes reservoirs, processing plants and pipes – are failing, with risks being posed to the environment, water supply and public safety.

The country’s water infrastructure is now struggling to keep up with demand, with a lack of investment seen over the last few decades to ensure that it can keep pace.

Rounds of new investment have been announced, with £88 billion in funding set aside by Ofwat to drive improvements and build resilience into the nation’s water supply – but this will result in bill increases for households, even as record amounts in dividends are paid out to shareholders.

A representative from industry trade organisation Water UK commented on leakage rates, saying that they’re now at their lowest level on record, adding that water firms have proposed investments totalling £105 billion to shore up future water supplies and slash leakage rates by a third come 2030.

And Thames Water confirmed that it would be upgrading 112 kilometres of mains pipes in London, with plans in place to reduce leaks by 23 per cent over the next three years.

However, it also noted that a third of its leaks came from pipes in domestic customers’ properties, with smart meter rollouts instrumental in safeguarding water resources for the future.

Given the amount of water being lost to leaks, it is paramount that action is taken now to address the situation, particularly given the fact that Environment Agency estimates are that five billion more litres of water will be needed per day come 2050 in order to meet demand… with the potential for London to run out of water within the next 25 years.

The business case for water leak detection and repair

While there isn’t much you can do about water leaks across the wider network, you can make sure that your business premises isn’t part of the problem, taking steps to identify vulnerable areas across your site and implementing the necessary repairs as appropriate.

You may not even be aware that you have a leakage issue, given that the majority of leaks are so small that they’re hard to spot or they’re hidden away below ground… so you won’t even know there’s an issue until you see a big spike in your bills or start to notice water damage appearing on your buildings.

As well as wasting lots of precious water, water leaks can cost you and your business potentially significant amounts of water. You’ll be paying for something you’re not using, for a start, and you run the risk of major repair bills coming your way if leaks do spiral out of control.

It’s also worth noting that you put your business reputation on the line if you don’t improve your water footprint and start operating more sustainably, with consumers increasingly keen to see businesses of all shapes and sizes start taking their environmental responsibilities more seriously.

The first step towards improving your localised pipe network is to have an audit of your site carried out. This will show you how and where you’re using water, with historical bill analysis conducted that will reveal any spikes in usage that could indicate a leak.

If you’d like to find out more about the process and how your business could benefit from tackling water leaks, get in touch with the SwitchWaterSupplier.com team today.

This article appeared in the October 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

British Library installs innovative solar tech to decarbonise heat – penning a brighter, greener future

Image: Naked Energy

The British Library and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) have commissioned Naked Energy to deliver the UK’s largest solar heat project to accelerate the public building’s transition to renewable energy.

The installation comprises 950 solar collectors across 712.5 m2 of the library’s roof space. It is expected to reduce the building’s CO2 emissions by 55 tonnes and generate 216 MWh of energy annually – the equivalent of powering and heating a community centre or swimming pool for a year.

Naked Energy’s solar heat and electricity Virtu product range is the world’s highest energy density solar technology. The Virtu product range converts the sun’s energy into heat and electricity from the same collector.

Naked Energy’s Virtu product range saves up to four times the amount of carbon as standard solar PV panels and are a key advance in decarbonising heat in sectors from manufacturing to hotels and leisure centres. 

The technology will supply sanitary hot water and space heating for the British Library, benefitting staff and visitors alike.

Also, in a rare application of solar technology, the collectors will also be used to help to maintain the precise temperature and humidity conditions needed to preserve the national collection cared for by the British Library. 

The British Library is custodian of over 170 million items, ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings and patents, and is a living collection that gets bigger every day. 

During the planning phase of the installation, Virtu solar technology secured planning permission on the Grade I-listed building, as its unique low-profile design does not disrupt the Library’s architecture and remains invisible from street level.

The British design and engineering business recently received investment from E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions and Barclays in the first close of its Series B capital raise, totalling £17m. 

The funding builds momentum for Naked Energy as they begin to accelerate the international rollout of their innovative solar heat technology in the face of rising global demand for renewable heat. 

Christophe Williams, Founder and CEO of Naked Energy said, “It’s an honour to partner with such an iconic British institution and be a part of their journey to meet their net zero goals. 

“The urgent need to decarbonise heat has long been under-recognised in the discussions over the UK’s move toward net zero. We hope that this project can serve as a catalyst to inspire others in the public sector to join the energy transition and move away from fossil fuels once and for all.

“This project has been an immense undertaking and is an exciting step forward for the solar thermal industry in the UK.”

Patrick Dixon, Director of Estates and Construction at the British Library, said, “The British Library is delighted to have benefitted from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. 

“We have received two grants under the scheme, one of which provided the funds for our supply partners CBRE to work with Naked Energy to design and install this innovative technology on our Grade I Listed building in London. 

“This project is part of the Library’s commitment to environmental action and we are pleased to have formally launched our new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy during Green Libraries Week.

“The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. It provides capital funding to public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.”

Jon Benford, Managing Director at CBRE GWS, added,“We’re incredibly excited to be delivering the largest solar heat installation project in the UK for our client, the British Library, and supporting such an iconic British institution on their net zero journey.

“Working towards net zero emissions in a Grade 1 listed English Heritage building comes with its own unique challenges, and we’re proud of the role this project will play in both preserving the past and protecting the future.”

npower Business Solutions launches partnership with Granular Energy 

Leading business energy supplier, npower Business Solutions (nBS), has partnered with software provider, Granular Energy, to provide its business customers with renewable energy matching, enabling a new level of transparency on how and where their power is sourced.

This collaboration marks a key milestone in nBS’s long-term commitment to renewable energy and digital innovation, setting the foundation for a range of future services designed to help businesses take greater control of their energy use and decarbonisation efforts.

The new service is designed to provide businesses with detailed information on the source and time of their renewable energy generation, which supports accurate Scope 2 emissions reporting.

Businesses will receive an annual report, which includes a breakdown showing how much consumption is matched by each asset type, as well as information about carbon impact, based on the difference between location-based emissions of the local grid and the market-based emissions that come from energy purchasing choices.

It will also include specific detail on the certificates that have been allocated, the production devices that are matched to a business’s consumption, as well as charts outlining how consumption is matched with production for each fuel mix disclosure period. 

Ben Whitelam, Director of Commercial at nBS, said:

“Businesses increasingly want to buy their power from renewable sources to both reduce their emissions and improve their security of supply. That said, it is also important that there is complete transparency and traceability around how and where this power is sourced, so organisations can confidently shout about their renewable credentials.

“We are committed to supporting businesses to accurately report their Scope 2 emissions, and customers on our UK Renewable Pure and UK Renewable Pure Plus products already know that their power will be matched from energy generated from wind, solar or hydro assets. 

“This partnership with Granular Energy provides another layer of detail, giving organisations clarity on the source of their energy. It also greatly reduces the level of manual reporting required for Scope 2 emissions, as well as providing increased accuracy.”

Eleonore Lazat, Commercial Director at Granular Energy said:

“npower Business Solutions is taking an important step towards more traceability in green electricity supply. By delivering new and more transparent reporting to their business customers, they empower businesses to make informed choices on their energy sourcing, aligned with their values and decarbonisation intentions.

“We are glad to be working with an industry leader like nBS. Building on this collaboration, we look forward to driving positive change in the supply sector, and pave the way to a carbon-free grid.”

TEAM Energy to support organisations with new ESOS Energy Action Plan requirements

Timothy Holman

The ESOS Phase 3 deadline has now come and gone, with the Environment Agency reporting that they have had over 7000 notifications of compliance from organisations.

Despite the completion of these submissions, organisations that are required to comply with the scheme must also submit an ESOS Energy Action Plan based on the energy saving initiatives they have planned for their operations says TEAM’s Head of Consultancy, Timothy Holman. 

The deadline for the first Energy Action Plan is the 5 December 2024, however the Environment Agency has announced an extension to the submission deadline and will accept Action Plans submitted by the 5 March 2025.

What must be included in the Energy Action Plan?

The Action Plan aims to act as a roadmap for organisations to achieve specific energy saving actions tailored to them to help improve their energy efficiency and work towards their sustainability goals. These improvements could be anything from equipment upgrades, to optimising processes and encouraging behaviour change throughout your organisation.

With a focused implementation timeline, organisations can prioritise projects and set their path to meet their energy saving goals. Organisations will also need to set out the estimated savings for both cost and energy from their energy efficiency projects, enabling them to better plan their journey to carbon reduction. 

In addition to the Action Plan, organisations must monitor and report their progress to the Environment Agency annually to ensure they are on track to achieve the projects set out in the Action Plan.

Creating and submitting an ESOS Energy Action Plan

TEAM Energy can support organisations across all aspects of planning and writing their Action Plan to ensure it can be submitted by the deadline.

TEAM’s energy efficiency and sustainability experts will work with you to build an appropriate Energy Action Plan tailored to your organisations needs. Compiling appropriate energy saving recommendations that you can implement into your organisation to improve your energy efficiency, TEAM’s ESOS Consultants will create a timeline for your action plan with realistic deadlines for completing these projects.

The team will then perform detailed calculations of potential kWh savings, estimate the savings that are achievable throughout the compliance period and create an Energy Action Plan to include a timeline to complete your energy saving plans.

Learn more about how TEAM can ensure you meet the compliance deadline

What are the ESOS Action Plan submission dates?

Submission PhaseESOS Phase Compliance and Action Plan ResultsNew Action PlanAction Plan Annual Progress UpdateAction Plan Annual Progress Update
Phase 3 Action PlanN/A5 December 2024 with an extension to submit by 5 March 20255 December 20255 December 2026
Phase 4 Action Plan5 December 20275 December 20285 December 20295 December 2030

Although the deadline for the Action Plan still stands for 5 December 2024, the Environment Agency will accept submissions by 5 March 2025.

For more information on the ESOS Action Plan Submission, explore TEAM’s helpful guide

 

This article appeared in the October 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join the REI’s COP29 Webinar: Our roundtable of renewable energy experts discuss the outcomes from Baku

The global conversation about climate change is more urgent than ever and COP29 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental policy. To help everyone better understand the key issues and outcomes of this landmark summit, we are hosting an exclusive COP29 webinar. This free online event will feature our industry expert speakers who will provide valuable insights into the themes and goals established during COP29. Join us Monday 25th November from 2pm – 3pm UK time.

  • Expert Panel Discussions: Leading environmental experts will break down the complex themes of COP29.
  • Interactive Q&A: Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and share thoughts with the panel.
  • Insight into Global Climate Strategies: Learn how international cooperation is critical to combat climate change and what you can do to contribute.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation about the future of our planet. Join the Institute’s COP29 Roundtable and better your understanding of the important actions that will shape climate change and the renewable energy sector.

For more information, call us on +44 131 446 9479 or email us at training@renewableinstitute.org 

Visit our website at https://www.renewableinstitute.org/ for more information on the training and events currently available at the REI.

This article appeared in the October 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

There’s still time to secure your free registration for EMEX, the Energy Management and Net Zero exhibition being held at London’s ExCeL on 20 & 21 November 2024.

Read on to discover how you can secure your free place today and take advantage of the many new, value-added features the show is offering to visitors this year…

New for 2024, the BSI Academy is a dedicated area from BSI Group, the national standards body of the UK, where you can take part in free, 40-minute CPD-accredited training sessions. Covering vital areas of learning for the sustainability sector, this is an exclusive opportunity to elevate your professional learning at no cost. The three bitesize courses running on both days of the show are: Introduction to Energy Management ISO 50001, Introduction to Environmental Management ISO 14001 and Introduction to Net Zero. Places are filling up fast so hurry if you want to secure a slot.

Returning in November are the ever-popular roundtables exclusive to those operating in the public sector space. Places on these are strictly limited to allow for meaningful discussions and this year will cover areas such as: Balancing sustainability investment within ongoing maintenance projects; Property decarbonisation: 2030 strategies and practical supply chain planning and Collaboration and partnerships to share best practice. Table hosts will share their own experiences and encourage group discussion and questions. Most tables will run twice, so you have the opportunity to join two tables on each day, with additional time for networking and making new contacts for the future. Sponsored by Local Partnerships, a joint venture between the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and Welsh Government, they help the public sector deliver projects and change at a local level. Full details of all the sessions are available on the main show website, and places can be reserved as part of the visitor registration form.

Following on from the public sector roundtable success, EMEX is delighted to welcome Mott MacDonald as sponsor of further discussion groups open to all. Following a similar format to their public sector counterparts, the topic under discussion for these sessions will be focused on: Energy strategies and master planning for large energy users and sites. These ‘new for 2024’ sessions are proving to be popular already so don’t delay in securing your place.

Still focusing on giving visitors to EMEX opportunities to expand their expertise and practical takeaways, the new hands-on workshops are another value-add, free feature for 2024. These fully interactive sessions are designed to demonstrate practical strategies for achieving key goals in energy management and carbon reduction. Hosted by Carbonology, Supply Chain Sustainability School and Tripple Point, further details of the different focus areas of the workshops can be found on the EMEX website and places reserved as part of visitor registration.

This year, EMEX is delighted to welcome IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment), a global body for environment and sustainability professionals, and the YEP (Young Energy Professionals) as hosts of exclusive peer mentoring sessions. These 10-minute sessions across both show days offer exciting opportunities to make valuable new contacts and receive specialist advice from senior professionals for those both established in their careers focusing on overcoming specific sector challenges and those at the beginning of their journey who may benefit from vocational mentoring.

All of these new, value-added features are completely free for EMEX visitors to attend. Simply register your free ticket today and select which sessions you would like to take part in: https://forms.reg.buzz/mark-allen-group/emex-2024/visitor/em.
For further information on all of these plus the rest of what’s on at EMEX 2024, visit the website now: https://www.emexlondon.com

What to look for in an energy management procurement company

Scott Barber

By Scott Barber, VP of I&C, POWWR

For some time now news headlines have been full of stories of how inflation continues to make it difficult for businesses in the public sector and beyond. While it may seem new for businesses to be hyper-focused on cost savings, it is, of course, something they have always been conscious of to a greater of lesser extent. It is that just right now it is getting extra attention.

Energy procurement is one area where public sector businesses are, quite rightly, turning to in a drive to cut down on their costs in their drive to ultimately save money. The process of understanding and managing all the moving parts of energy procurement can be complex and tedious, but it has never been more important to make strategic energy purchases. Thankfully, energy procurement management companies are popping up more and more. They do what they say on the tin and their sole focus is on helping businesses purchase energy more proactively, so the business can make more strategic choices related to their energy usage. It is not a process to be sniffed at. Well-curated supply contracts can result in thousands of pounds in additional supply-side savings. But what is it that a public sector business should be looking for in an energy management procurement company?

Reliability

Of course, energy is central to everything a business does. A power cut generally results in a business being stopped in their tracks. It is important that a business does not get caught short. Make sure that the energy supplier chosen is one that can be trusted. Look at customer reviews and testimonials to see what other businesses think about them. Beyond testimonials, look at the energy procurement strategies they share on their website. Plus, ensure that each strategy is based on solid research and reports from brokers and sellers, and that as a customer you would have control over the plan on offer.

Cost savings

As we witness an unprecedented global shift towards renewable energy sources, energy suppliers are increasingly confronting new challenges. This transition, while essential for sustainability, introduces significant volatility in energy supply and costs. Factors such as the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy, compounded by geopolitical and environmental uncertainties, have made the energy market more unpredictable than ever and led to widespread price rises.

There are still deals out there, though, so make sure to shop around. Remember that sometimes the first deal seen is not the best. Do thorough research to seek out the best deal for the business when it comes to energy procurement, so the business is saving the most amount of money possible. Having said that if a deal seems too good to be true it probably is. Make sure to read the small print.

Value added

It is important that a public sector business does not get obsessed with just how much money they can save on their energy costs. Look at the possible benefits that are available through each supplier. What value do they add? Try to ascertain the process from start to finish. Remember, that the more information the better. It is impossible to research too thoroughly. Particularly if the organisation has certain environmental goals it needs to hit, ensure to find out how the energy procurement company goes about sourcing energy from a third-party energy supplier or local distribution company. Also look into how contracts are drafted, and what the implementation process will entail. Beyond that, ensure they can forecast future usage accurately so that the business can plan effectively.

Contract details

Different energy management procurement companies offer different contract types. These are often dependent on external factors like property-specific demand requirements and/or market drivers that influence the price. What kind of contract that works best can vary from business to business. Regardless though, make sure that whichever company is chosen to help with energy procurement has transparent pricing with no hidden fees or unforeseen charges.

The benefits of optimal energy procurement

While many public sector businesses understand the benefits of effective energy procurement, not all do. Now is the time to start. When done optimally, energy procurement lowers the risk of unforeseen charges, hidden fees, and costs. Plus, it provides more informed load forecasting, a more reliable source of fuel, and greater control over fuel costs and types. Hopefully this article has helped those public sector businesses on the fence understand the value of energy procurement. However, each business is different and has will have different requirements for their energy usage. Therefore, spend the time to ensure that the business is paired up with the right supplier.

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