Energy management is becoming a core strategic issue, with the focus shifting from cost cutting to growth, according to new research.
Energy Action’s Energy Insights Survey suggests businesses show greater levels of understanding, awareness and maturity across many aspects of energy management explored by the study. Respondents also displayed growing confidence and greater self-reliance in their business’s own energy management capabilities, according to the research.
Energy Action surveyed 505 businesses (34 per cent Energy Action clients and 66 per cent non-clients) across a range of sectors, and asked how they buy their energy and if they sought advice from brokers or consultants.
Chief executive officer Scott Wooldridge also said businesses are showing greater self-sufficiency with the implementation of energy efficiency and sustainability measures.
“The results of this year’s survey indicate that energy management and procurement are increasingly becoming a core part of corporate strategy, and show ongoing growth in the number of businesses outsourcing these services,” he said, noting 84 per cent of local businesses are eager to embrace energy technologies, such as solar PV, that offer independence and support social sustainability.
Key findings of the report include:
• 43 per cent report they have a formal energy management strategy in place; and 46 per cent report to a board of directors (up from 43 per cent in 2013)
• 91 per cent say price is ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important when choosing a supplier and 86 per cent say shopping around is ‘moderately’ or ‘extremely’ important when looking to secure an energy contract
• 37 per cent had implemented solar PV measures in their business, up from 23 per cent in 2014.
