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.

With some big changes incoming, we’re taking a closer look at how developments in government, new leadership, policies and legislation can have a direct impact on energy prices and thus your business’ energy bills.   The Factors That Affect Your Business Energy Prices Firstly, let’s consider the key factors that affect your business energy prices and what you pay per month or per year. The global energy market – Fluctuations in the global market can lead to significant shifts in energy costs for businesses, impacting their operating expenses and bottom line. Rising international prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, driving up energy bills Network charges impacting energy bills Energy supplier operating costs and margins influencing prices Energy and climate change policies aimed at: Delivering low-carbon, secure, and affordable energy supplies Helping households and businesses save energy Supporting low-income and vulnerable consumers   Policies Introduced By The Government Renewable Energy Project Approval: The government recently greenlit a massive offshore wind farm project, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next decade. This project is expected to power millions of homes with clean energy and significantly boost the renewable energy sector.   Tax Reforms on Energy Companies: A new policy has been implemented to increase taxes on fossil fuel companies while offering tax incentives for renewable energy investments. This move is designed to encourage a shift towards greener energy solutions and discourage reliance on non-renewable energy sources.   Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have been introduced, limiting emissions from industrial plants. These regulations are set to improve air quality and reduce health risks associated with pollution, showcasing the government’s commitment to environmental protection and public health.   How These Policies Influence Business Energy Tariffs These government policies have a direct impact on energy prices for businesses. With the introduction of renewable energy projects, there is a growing demand for clean energy sources, resulting in increased tariffs to cover the costs of implementing these projects. Similarly, the tax reforms on energy companies can lead to higher costs being passed onto businesses in order to maintain profit margins. This also applies to environmental regulations which may require businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and processes. Moreover, changes in government leadership and shifts in political ideologies can also affect energy prices. Different administrations may prioritise different aspects of the energy sector, resulting in policy changes that again, can impact business energy tariffs   What You Can Do To Manage Your Gas & Electricity Costs While little can be done to change the external influences on your gas and electricity bills, there are things you can do to manage your business energy costs:   Changing Business Energy Suppliers One of the first things you can do is shop around for the best deal.  Conduct a thorough comparison of business energy suppliers to find the best tariff for your specific needs. Look beyond just the price and consider factors such as customer service, stability, and renewable energy options offered by each supplier. Stability would be key, especially in times of economic or political uncertainty. A well-established energy provider may be a more reliable provider when times are uncertain.   Additional Cost-Saving Strategies As well as switching business energy suppliers and shopping for the best deal, there are many other cost-saving strategies a business can undertake. from making energy efficiency upgrades to business premises to simply conducting an energy audit, these measures and steps can make a big difference to your business energy bills. Helping to cut your costs and to future-proof your business for the future of clean energy. Conduct an energy audit of your business Energy-efficiency upgrades Investment into renewable energy Use a smart meter for businesses to track your energy consumption in real-time If you would like more information about renewable energy such as 100% UK wind power or would be interested in receiving a free quote form D-ENERGi for your business energy, do not hesitate to get in touch.

As summer has rolled around and days are slowly but surely warming up, your business premises will be too. With this comes a greater demand for air conditioning. Especially in work places where lots of people are working together in a small space. Offices tend to be the biggest culprits when it comes to A/C use, with unlimited access to the controls, individuals will play around with the settings to ensure the temperature is just right for them. However, with consistent use of an air conditioner and HVAC system comes a rise in energy consumption and as a result your business energy bills. In this article we explain how your business’ HVAC system can be optimised to ensure summer energy efficiency and cost savings.   The Importance Of HVAC Servicing & Maintenance One of the most practical things you can do to optimise your HVAC system is to carry out regular servicing and maintenance work. Having qualified engineers review the functioning of your system to complete necessary maintenance work to ensure a quality system will help to reduce expensive breakdowns and your energy consumption. A good system will not require much power in order to run each day, but when your HVAC begins to age or fail, more energy is required to power the system. We suggest having your system serviced at least once per year to check its performance and to ensure any errors in the system are corrected.   Maintain A Regular Temperature In Your Workplace A good way to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently and isn’t consuming excessive power, is to maintain a regular temperature. While it may be tempting to adjust the settings throughout the day, switching between a blast of cold air after a long walk to the office, to turning up the heat when the office becomes cool again in the evening, this is not the most energy efficient way to operate. Consuming large amounts of energy in order to switch between settings will cause an increase in your business energy bills. It is far more practical, cost-effective and environmentally friendly to stick to a regular, comfortable working temperature throughout the day.   Check For Visible Signs Of Wear & Tear It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your HVAC system, particularly throughout the summer season when the air conditioning will be used more frequently. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage or broken parts. This could include: Gaps in seals Error lights or messages on your system settings Loose parts Poor airflow As well as these signs, many people will notice sounds first. From banging to clanging, squeaking and squealing, a HVAC system that is making a lot of loud noises is likely not in good condition and needs immediate attention from a qualified technician or to be replaced.   Review The Age Of Your System While an older HVAC system can continue to function well, the system should be replaced every 10-20 years to ensure qualified performance. If your HVAC system is becoming dated, it may be time to replace it entirely. However, if you do not have the budget to do this, you could also contact a HVAC technician who may be able to provide replacement parts and offer a service that will optimise your system for a few more years.   To Conclude… While we hope that the sun makes an appearance at some point this year, it is important to consider the use of your HVAC system on hot days. Managing and reducing your energy consumption as much as possible in order to keep your business energy bills low. High business energy bills during the summer months are almost always attributed to the overconsumption of energy from an HVAC system. So, with these tips and tricks, you can manage your energy usage and optimise your system to ensure this summer you are not overspending on energy. For more energy saving tips, check out our blog, and for a free quote, simply get in touch with our team.

Business energy bills are a guaranteed cost for a business of any kind. Even the smallest sole trader businesses will have to pay the expense of lighting, electricity supply for technology and other things such as heating and air conditioning. Since this is a cost that every business has to contend with, there are many different solutions for businesses who want to reduce their costs to improve business cash flow. In this latest blog we review the many business upgrades that you can carry out to your business premises, be it an office, work site, or somewhere else, to help reduce your electricity usage and cut down spending on your electricity bills.   Upgrades you can make to your business premises   In order to ensure that your business is as energy efficient as possible and your energy bills are kept as low as possible, you can make the following upgrades and adjustments to your building: Invest in new insulation – if you’re not aware of how long your business has had insulation, be it in the roof or the walls, it may be time to upgrade. Signs of old insulation include: Draughty rooms Higher energy bills than usual Inconsistencies in room temperature Trouble with condensation and mould   These signs are a sure sign that your insulation solutions have aged and it is time to upgrade. With a range of insulation materials and options you can choose to insulate your business premises according to your budget. Certain materials such as fibre glass are some of the cheapest to purchase and install. However, it is important to always consult an expert to ensure your insulation is fitted correctly and safely. What’s more, according to the Carbon Trust, an uninsulated office building will lose 60% of heat waste through the structure of the building.   Either through the walls, loft, windows, or floors. Investing in quality insulation will save your business from losing hundreds of pounds worth of heating, whilst also creating a much more comfortable and sustainable environment for your employees and teams.   Upgrade lighting systems – With around 20% of energy costs coming from the use of lighting, both in business and domestic scenarios, it becomes important to know how much your energy bills are impacted by your lighting choice.   As one of the most energy efficient lighting options, LED light bulbs are highly recommended to businesses looking to cut costs. While the initial cost to fit these lightbulbs throughout a business premise, particularly an office, will require a larger budget than usual for bulbs, the long term cost savings make this worthwhile. LED lighting offers a longer lasting, brighter and safer solution for business use whilst also being the most eco-friendly option of them all!   Install solar panels – have you ever wondered how renewable energy could benefit your business? Solar panels are an accessible option for businesses looking to invest into renewable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint. Solar panels can be installed to a range of buildings and will help cut the costs of your electricity bill by sourcing energy from the sun rather than traditional means. It is however, important to invest in a quality solar panel system that will be capable of providing the very best results.   Install first time central heating system – in older buildings, particularly older office buildings, central heating may never have been installed. Central heating is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to heat a home without having to rely on the use of single electric room heaters or other alternative energy sources. While central heating is a costly investment it will certainly provide many benefits and not just to the cost of your electricity but it will also help to improve the comfort of your working environment. Making the heating of rooms much more manageable.   Get help and support for your business   While current energy rates are not as high as they were in the midst of the energy crisis, there are still many businesses in the UK struggling to make ends meet. In order to protect these businesses and keep them afloat, there are a number of support avenues that are still available to utilise. From financial support from the government to charities and your own energy supplier. Finding the help you need can make a huge difference, and take some weight off your shoulders as you continue to run and grow your business. The UK government currently has a business support service which is available to contact for free advice in England. They can be contacted in a number of ways:   enquiries@businesssupportservice.co.uk Telephone: 0800 998 1098 Webchat   There is also a wide range of financial support available across the nation, with different services provided in different regions and counties. Click here to find a suitable funding scheme for your business. A great example of this is the SME Energy Efficiency Scheme (SMEES) for small businesses located in Tees Valley to improve their energy efficiency. Support from your energy supplier. If you are struggling to cover the cost of your business energy bills, it is important that you let your supplier know. At D-ENERGi we support a wide range of businesses with their business energy supply and are on hand to provide you with help and guidance to ensure you do not get stuck or caught out by an unexpected bill. Simply get in touch with our friendly team for more information or get a quick quote by filling out a short online form.