Robin Hale, Chief Executive, MEUC
The rapid evolution within the energy and water sectors continues unabated, introducing ongoing complexity. Utility professionals are now required to balance carbon reduction commitments, cost optimisation, dynamic regulatory environments, and resilience requirements—a challenge that defines the current landscape and necessitates advanced strategies and heightened collaboration.
Beyond Traditional Models
Fixed-rate agreements or simple volume contracts are no longer sufficient. Leading organisations are adopting flexible procurement models, incorporating long-term risk management techniques, and responding proactively to shifting market dynamics.
Effective transformation hinges on both strategic approaches and organisational mindset. Across the MEUC Community, energy teams have demonstrated significant results by leveraging digital solutions, conducting comprehensive data analysis, and aligning utility initiatives with broader business objectives. These individuals are transitioning into leadership roles, shaping cost, carbon, and consumption strategies that impact their entire organisations.
Turning Ambition into Action
While aspirations around decarbonisation and efficiency are widespread, successfully implementing these goals across complex estate portfolios remains a substantial task. Achieving progress requires coordination among engineers, executives, various departments, and board-level stakeholders.
Adoption of onsite generation, power purchase agreements (PPAs), flexibility measures, water efficiency improvements, and emerging technologies shows considerable promise. However, real success often relies on incremental progress and cultural adaptation, rather than high-profile declarations. Peer-to-peer dialogue, whether during informal discussions or structured sessions, proves instrumental in sharing valuable insights.
“What we get from the MEUC events is essentially ‘horizon scanning’. Day-to-day we are in the trenches, dealing with billing and metering issues, figuring out new and novel ways of generating supply. What we lose sight of and find difficult is knowing what is going on in the wider world. We come along to the MEUC events to find out about changes in government policy, what’s going on in the industry and market changes. We often find we didn’t know about something that is coming along – what impact is that going to have on us? It enables us to start adjusting our strategy and planning for things like regional pricing. How is that going to impact us? What can we do to influence and affect it? How do we need to adapt and develop our plans around it? It’s that forward-looking, wider industry view, that we find really valuable.”
David Gray – Energy Supply Manager, Bristol City Council
Precision rather than Reactive Measures
Faced with rising costs, some may consider broad reductions. Yet, sustainable benefits emerge from targeted initiatives: advanced metering, demand-side flexibility, intelligent systems, and behavioural analytics. Such measures facilitate long-term savings without compromising future competitiveness.
Policy trends support this approach. The UK’s Clean Growth Strategy highlights the integral role of energy and water management in enhancing business resilience and reputation. Regulatory frameworks such as ESOS have heightened expectations and scrutiny, incentivising continual improvement.
Resilient Strategies by Design
With risks spanning contractual, market, environmental, policy, and climate domains, resilience must be intentionally embedded into operational frameworks. Foundational capabilities such as flexible contracting, market literacy, and policy awareness, are essential, as is investment in personnel development and industry networks.
The Importance of Engagement
In the digital era, personal interactions remain critically important. Events such as MEUC’s Buying and Using Utilities Live foster open dialogue and peer learning, adding value beyond formal programming.“
A Deliberate Strategic Pause
MEUC meetings are designed to encourage reflection, recalibration, and knowledge-sharing – not to deliver instant solutions. As expectations rise and margins narrow, such opportunities are becoming increasingly vital.
BUU Live events provide a focused and practical forum for professionals overseeing utility procurement and management. The event aims to refine strategies, enhance resilience, and equip attendees for future challenges.
For further information about MEUC’s Buying and Using Utilities Live – 15 October 2025, Coventry, visit meucnetwork.co.uk/events.
This article appeared in the September 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.