The scheme, which provided a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses and non-domestic customers over winter, supported thousands in mitigating the impact of the energy crisis on their businesses. However, as of April, the scheme has been replaced with the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), reducing support drastically from an estimated £18bn over winter to £5.5bn in support over the next year.
A cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution
This new challenge for businesses can be daunting, but there is light at the end of the tunnel – Renewable Energy. While there are plenty of solutions for businesses, few are as environmentally friendly as renewable energy or as cost-effective in the long-term. Renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines offer a way for businesses to cut down on their monthly utility bills while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources that are not depleted. Energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower are renewable because they cannot be exhausted.
The types of Renewable Energy.
There are several different types of renewable energy, including solar, wind power, hydroelectricity and geothermal power.
Solar Power
Solar power harnesses the sun’s rays to provide electricity for homes and businesses. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
Wind Power
Wind power also relies on natural forces and produces electricity by using wind turbines to generate electricity when they rotate at high speeds due to strong winds.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity uses flowing water or falling water from dams or reservoirs to generate electricity through hydroelectric generators connected to generators that convert it into usable power.
Geothermal power
Geothermal power taps into naturally occurring hot underground rocks beneath Earth’s surface, which creates steam that turns turbines, similar to those used by the hydroelectric plant.
What are the benefits of businesses using Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is the path to reduced energy costs and increased energy efficiency. Renewable energy is more cost-effective than fossil fuels and reduces your dependence on fossil fuels. The nature of renewable emissions means that they can be replenished and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.
Reduced Energy Costs.
Renewable energy systems are already cheaper to build and maintain than fossil fuels for several industries. Businesses who have onsite renewable energy eliminate the fluctuating costs of fossil fuel energy – which can drastically save you money on your business’s utility bills. For example, if you invest in a solar panel system on the roof of your building each month, it will produce electricity that offsets the cost of buying electricity from the grid.
The initial upfront costs can deter businesses from investing in onsite renewable energy but the long-term cost savings is a strong mover for businesses to make the transition to renewable energy.
We worked with The Furniture Practice to help them transition to renewable energy as an important step in their journey to net zero.
“We knew that moving to a 100% renewable energy tariff was a critical step towards further reducing our carbon footprint. The Clean Energy Sourcing team at Planet Mark took the hard work out of it for us and provided us with options for clean energy contracts at competitive rates. We will continue to work with Planet Mark to ensure we are using the most sustainable and cheapest energy suppliers, as we take the next steps on the journey towards a net zero future.”
Phil Towle – Commercial and Sustainability Manager
Reduced Carbon Emissions.
The more we use renewable sources, the less reliance we have on fossil fuels, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Renewable energy also helps improve our air and water quality by reducing pollution caused by fossil fuel burning.
Businesses in the UK must be net zero by 2050. Investing in renewable energy sources is an incremental step your business can take to meet this target and reduce their overall carbon emissions. Our Planet Mark energy service offers exclusive access to renewable energy suppliers at preferential rates.
Avoid Reliance on Fossil Fuels.
Renewable energy is a clean source of energy, which means it’s a safe, reliable, and sustainable way to power our businesses.
The use of renewable technologies such as wind turbines helps us reduce our reliance on traditional sources like non-clean energy sources. These are susceptible to shortages during periods when there’s high demand and can lead to hikes in prices.
In the race to halt climate change, renewable sources of energy help businesses avoid using fossil fuels like coal or oil, which create harmful emissions by burning fuel to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Increased Energy Efficiency.
The most obvious benefit of renewable energy is the increase in energy efficiency. Since it’s a renewable resource, solar, wind and geothermal power can be reused without relying on an exhaustible or finite element. This means there is no need for any additional fossil fuels in order to create further electricity.
Additionally, because there are little to no emissions created during the production process, there are fewer environmental consequences than traditional methods of electricity generation.
Increased efficiency can help businesses save money by using less fuel per unit of work done by machines like computers or even heating offices. Your business will be able to save money while doing your part to help the UK reduce its carbon emissions.
The business case for renewable energy is clear.
Renewable energy places businesses in a position to achieve cost savings, reduce dependence on harmful fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency. Renewable sources like wind turbines, solar panels and hydroelectric dams provide a no-emission solution to energy; helping business reduce their carbon emissions and help combat the climate crisis.
In the hike of the UK energy crisis, renewable energy can mitigate the effects on business stability by providing reliable, cost-effective sources of energy.
If you’re interested in learning more about how renewable energy could benefit your business, contact us today.
