Energy efficiency has emerged as a key growth strategy for the UK’s smaller firms (SMEs).
New research from energy supplier power shows nearly half are benefiting from the commercial benefits of saving energy.
However, many of these ‘energy-efficiency entrepreneurs’ believe more could be achieved with additional financial support from the UK Government.
The latest power business energy index showed these firms are recognising the benefits of cutting energy use, including reduced overheads and reinvestment of savings back into the business in terms of premises improvements, staff and new equipment.
This is a substantial increase on 2011, when the index was last published, which showed only 25% of businesses saw the commercial benefits of saving energy.
The tracking index looks at SMEs’ perceptions of energy-related issues, including energy management, purchasing habits, legislation and risk.
It shows nearly half of SMEs reduced their overall energy consumption by 5-10% in the last year, while 59% say they are planning to increase energy-efficiency initiatives, despite the current challenging economic climate.
Phil Scholes, SME markets director at power, said: “It’s really encouraging to see this trend of energy efficiency entrepreneurs; those SMEs who recognise that saving energy can result in tangible business benefits.”
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