There’s growing pressure for businesses to decarbonise – but for many organisations, it’s vital to find ways to achieve this that are both pragmatic and cost-effective.
Now that the UK’s commitment to bringing its greenhouse gas emissions down to net zero by 2050 has been enshrined into law, we can expect to see new and stricter policies introduced to encourage businesses to play their part in achieving the net zero targets. Growing pressure from customers, supply chains and stakeholders is also likely to prompt businesses to focus on their sustainability – not doing so risks them facing customer backlash.
For businesses operating within the commercial and industrial sector the big question is how to build a path to a sustainable future which is both pragmatic and cost-effective. The growth in renewable electricity generation is hugely positive but it is widely understood that intermittent generation creates increased volatility. This coupled with the growth in demand for electricity will drive a demand for increased peak generating capacity and ultimately is likely to mean that more businesses will take control of their energy future through installing on-site generation. There are now so many on-site generation solutions available that most businesses should be able to find one that meets their needs – but identifying the ideal solution can be complex. Cost effective heat decarbonisation is also a growing area of focus and we have identified some readily available and practical solutions for how this can be achieved.
Finding a practical, cost-effective solution
AMP Clean Energy is encouraging all businesses to start taking the simplest actions to lower their carbon emissions. Doing so will enable businesses to realise the benefits of cost and carbon savings, as well as the boost to their reputation and commercial resilience.
Some of the simple actions available involve installing on-site generation, from heat pumps and biomass boilers through to solar panels and gas combined heat and power plants (CHP). Clearly, some of these solutions will be better suited to some organisations than others – organisations need to have a certain amount of roof or ground space available for solar panels, for example.
It is also important to assess the financial obstacles and opportunities that different solutions present. Gaining senior management buy-in for an on-site generation installation can be a real barrier for many businesses, but in our increasingly volatile energy market, the ability to switch to your own independently generated power can offer a real opportunity for you to reduce your energy costs. Third party funding or long term PPAs from companies like AMP Clean Energy can provide a capital free solution to decarbonisation.
Start today
The most important factor is to avoid delays – low carbon energy is better for our planet, as well as making business sense.
Building the business case for on-site generation can be challenging, however. With this in mind, AMP Clean Energy has published a white paper which outlines the simple steps required to start reducing emissions today. The paper provides an in depth insight into the various decarbonisation options on offer, enabling the specifier to make a well-informed decision on the best solution for your business.
To download a copy of the report, please visit the AMP Clean Energy website here.
