With Keir Starmer now officially in power, we take a look at how our new Labour government will impact the UK’s journey towards net zero. Making Britain A Green Superpower A big part of Labour’s 2024 manifesto is a chapter titled ‘Make Britain a clean energy superpower’. This chapter focuses on the plans Labour has to make the country a clean superpower, with the following objectives:   Set up Great British Energy to cut bills for good Energy independence from dictators like Putin 650,000 new high-quality jobs Warmer homes to slash fuel poverty Water companies forced to clean up our rivers   According to the manifesto, Labour’s mission is to achieve clean energy by 2030. Stating that the Conservative party have failed to ‘grasp opportunities in this area’. But how do they plan to do this? Let’s delve into what may happen as a result of these objectives…   Opportunities Within Wind Power As a small island surrounded by water and a huge coastline that stretches the length and breadth of the country, we are in an incredibly advantageous position where wind power is concerned.   Due to our geographical location, wind power is the most abundant of renewable energy sources available to us in the country. By harnessing what power we already have access to, investing into this sector and supporting the development of onshore and offshore wind, the Labour government plans to lower energy bills for families and businesses across the country, moving away from fossil fuels and the power of Russia and Putin over traditional sources of energy.   In doing so, we can become an independent green energy power. Great British Energy A planned governmental and investment body, Labour intends to begin the start of Great British Energy. The publicly-owned company will oversee investment into clean energy, support clean power projects, create jobs and more. The body is intended to be owned by the British people to give the power back to the British people.   Investing In Green Jobs To help meet our targets in a timely fashion, Labour has pledged 650,000 green jobs to be created in the UK’s renewable energy sector. This will call upon engineers and specialists to come forward and make Britain a greener place to live with cleaner air for all. Labour has suggested that these roles could include: Renewable Energy Engineers Solar Panel Installers Wind Turbine Technicians Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologists Sustainable Transport Specialists This investment not only benefits the environment but also creates high-quality jobs for people across the country, helping to boost the economy after the impact of COVID-19. It also provides opportunities for individuals to upskill and retrain in vital industries, ensuring a sustainable future for our workforce. Conclusion Overall, it is clear that the new Labour government has ambitious plans for clean energy in the UK. By investing in renewable energy sources and creating green jobs, they are working towards their goal of making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. Whether they will be able to achieve this remains to be seen, but it is certainly a step in the right direction towards tackling climate change and achieving net zero emissions. As businesses and individuals, we can also play our part by supporting these initiatives and making conscious choices to reduce our own carbon footprint. Together, we can work towards a greener and more sustainable planet for future generations.   To find out how you could switch to renewable energy for your business, discover D-ENERGi 100% UK Wind Power. With all electricity supplied from D-ENERGi Trading and sourced from UK based wind farms, it’s the greenest way to power your business today. Get in touch with our team for more information.

After two years of what can only be described as total chaos and uncertainty for the energy market, is 2024 bringing a change to the energy market and what could be influencing prices? In this blog we will explore the current situation for the energy market and wholesale prices. Whilst also considering what businesses are currently dealing with in terms of energy prices and bills.   Uncertainty remains for business owners Global events and supply/demand fluctuations can cause prices to rise unexpectedly. And with various conflicts undergoing around key energy supply areas around the world, governments and businesses will keep a close eye on the global markets, with some hesitancy towards a sense of relaxation just yet. In fact, just recently, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict across Israel, Palestine and areas in the Middle East, wholesale prices have once again experienced a rise. For many business owners, dealing with the energy crisis and the impact this has had is still ongoing and this is expected to continue while essential leaders in the industry undergo volatile situations. And while some businesses have been able to access government-funded support, others felt this wasn’t enough. Subsequently these small businesses are still dealing with debts and financial issues as a result.   Comparison is key Despite a few changes to wholesale prices since the beginning of the energy crisis, they are still higher than pre-pandemic levels. So, this is still something that businesses are having to adjust to. And in combination with other factors such as the cost of living, this isn’t necessarily a relief for businesses. In fact, for many, wholesale prices are still having a considerable effect on business finances. To conclude, high prices, although subject to change, are yet to be a thing of the past. And now would be a good time, while we are at the start of a new financial year, to shop around for your business energy rates, and settle on a good deal for the year ahead. For some of the best rates from an alternative business energy supplier to the big energy suppliers, choose D-ENERGi. Get a quote today.   What to do in the wake of rising energy prices While the global situation continues to impact the market, we are here to help. All our business customers can access the support of our dedicated account managers for assistance in regard to their energy bills and concerns surrounding payments. We offer personalised services and support to address your concerns promptly. For those who want to get the best rates and keep costs down, as much as possible, we suggest that you consider installing a smart meter for closer observation of your energy usage, and consider ways to reduce consumption. And, as we near the warmer months of the year, now is a great time to service your high energy consuming appliances such as your HVAC units, refrigerators and more, ensuring these are as economical and as energy efficient as possible. By doing this you will be taking small and simple steps to keep your consumption down. We would also suggest that you make the most of natural light during the day, keeping artificial lights off or dimly lit. Meanwhile the temperature of your business premises should be kept at a consistent and comfortable working temperature. For help with your current situation and to discuss your business energy rates with a member of our helpful team, do not hesitate to get in touch with D-ENERGi. We ensure that all calls will be answered within five rings or less by a human instead of leaving a voicemail.

While Jeremy Hunt did not mention the EBDS Scheme in his Spring Budget announcement, it is confirmed that the support scheme ends 31st March 2024. For small businesses utilising the support of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme may feel slightly left in the dark now, as no alternative or additional support has been mentioned by the government. So what now?   Costs of running a small business in 2024 Although there’s certainly mixed opinions regarding the scheme and the genuine support that it did or could offer SMEs, having little to no other options leaves many small businesses wondering about the future. Despite predictions for the energy market looking better for 2024, many small businesses will still be dealing with the financial fallout of the energy crisis and of course the other issue of the cost of living crisis. Ensuring staff are paid enough to cover their own bills, business rents increasing and difficulties in a variety of sectors, there will continue to be concern about finances and staying afloat for small business owners in 2024.   A desire for tailored support for small businesses While there is not a single scheme or support programme set to succeed the EBDS Scheme as of yet, there’s some discussions surrounding what SMEs truly desire from the government. Research done within the industry has highlighted that small business owners wish for the government to acknowledge their want for energy support that is tailored to their unique needs, rather than schemes that many do not deem to be adequate. Microbusinesses especially, have called for bespoke assistance from the government for those that have been most affected by rising energy prices. And many are calling for regular winter support to be introduced, making sure that each year businesses are thoroughly supported financially to survive the often challenging months of winter and the extra costs the cold weather presents businesses.   What can small businesses do now? However, since there is yet to be any response or correspondence from the government regarding these concerns and desires, here are some examples of support you can currently access and will be able to access beyond the end of the EBDS Scheme. The best method of support if you can not afford to pay your current energy bill is to contact your business energy supplier and negotiate a payment arrangement that works for your business and them. At D-ENERGi our team of customer service representatives are on hand to offer the best possible advice and guidance for all our business customers. Alternatively support from Citizens Advice and Ofgem may help if you are struggling with what to do next. From understanding how to switch business energy suppliers to knowing if you are overpaying for electricity, these organisations offer some of the best advice for businesses.   Cutting your energy consumption And while we await the government’s offers of more assistance through a new scheme or financial plan, you can also make a difference by actively reducing your energy usage to maximise your savings. From better energy management practices to improving your energy efficiency, there are many small steps you can take for a positive impact on your business. Our blog explores a wide range of these topics. Including the best advice for businesses wanting to cut energy costs and how to cut your energy consumption.   To conclude: While we remain hopeful that the government will continue to offer support for small businesses with their energy, we understand that from the latest budget, much more focus is being placed on inflation. Meaning less attention may be given to the energy market over the next year. Using our advice, we suggest that all small businesses worried about the end of their government-backed support to reach out for more information from our customer support teams. We can discuss next steps and future payments, helping to ensure you are on the right tariff and are able to pay your energy bills.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax that is applied to most goods and services in the UK, including business energy bills. The standard rate of VAT is 20%, but there are a number of discounts and exemptions available to businesses, which can help to reduce the amount of VAT you pay. Not only is this a useful piece of information for small businesses to know, it may also mean more money going back into your business rather than to the dreaded tax man!   VAT on electricity for businesses Much like any other goods or services you access as a business, you will pay VAT. The current standard rate of VAT is 20%. However, since the government wants to offer as much incentive to businesses as possible to reduce their energy consumption and improve their energy efficiency, such discounts and exemptions of VAT payments can be applied. This is of course, subject to eligibility.    If you are eligible for a discount or exemption on your electricity VAT, this should be applied automatically by your supplier. However, you may need to confirm this at the time of approval. Ensuring that all parties are aware of the reduced fee. Keep an eye out on your bills for what you are paying. For more help understanding your bill click here.    Discounts and exemptions available to businesses from the UK government   The Climate Change Levy (CCL) exemption: This exemption applies to businesses that use certain types of renewable energy, such as solar power, wind power, and biomass. Fuel Duty: If you use a generator to power your business, you may be able to reclaim some of the Fuel Duty that you pay on the fuel you use. The De Minimis supply: If your business uses less than a certain amount of energy each year, you may be eligible for a reduced rate of VAT of 5%. The de minimis limits are 1,000 kWh of electricity per month or 4,397 kWh of gas per month.   Signing a CCA (Climate Change Agreement)  Signing a Climate Change Agreement (CCA) as a UK business comes with both obligations and benefits, primarily in the form of potential financial savings and reduced carbon footprint. Here’s a breakdown:   What is a CCA? A CCA is a voluntary agreement between your business and the Environment Agency. In exchange for meeting specific energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets, you receive a discount on the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a tax added to your electricity and fuel bills.   By signing a CCA you are agreeing to making improvements to the energy efficiency of your business, reducing your energy consumption. This provides you with the opportunity to receive discounts of up to 90%.    It is important to remember that discounts and eligibility for discounts is always subject to change as per the government’s guidelines. To ensure you are always up to date with the latest information regarding discounts and exemptions on your business energy bills, read the GOV.UK site.  For more energy saving tips and advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your business premises, check out more of our D-ENERGi blogs.