UK businesses ‘ignoring the savings to be found by cutting energy waste’

The firm’s Rethink Energy report surveyed more than 500 companies as well as 2000 consumers. It has calculated that nearly 120 million tons of emissions in the country last year were entirely attributable to wasted energy. 

More shocking, the figure is only derived from that energy wasted in generation or process stages or building inefficiency. It does not account for that energy lost in the food supply chain, industry or transport sectors.

Describing his company’s publication as a wake-up call, Mike Hughes, zone president for UK & Ireland said:

“We may not be able to see the impact energy waste is having on our planet as graphically as that of plastic waste in oceans or on beaches, but it is clear that reducing waste energy has a significant role to play in reducing our emissions.”

It is an easy win. It doesn’t require the same level of investment, time or rely on future innovation that is needed to decarbonise our economy

Mike Hughes, zone president for UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric 

Statistics revealed in the report include:

• All respondents believe their business wastes energy but just 44% know of counter measures taken
• 20% of firms do not measure energy waste
• Among SMEs the percentage is twice as high
• For larger firms it is significantly lower (14%)
• 84% of firms say they are deterred by the potential cost of energy saving measures

Schneider insists its research shows the average project aimed at tackling waste energy pays for itself in 3 years, while a 30% reduction in energy use equates to a 10% reduction in operating costs

Hughes added: “It is an easy win. It doesn’t require the same level of investment, time or rely on future innovation that is needed to decarbonise our economy.

"Most importantly, the effects of reducing emissions from wasted energy could be felt immediately, buying us much needed time to tackle some of the harder measures that society will inevitably have to face.”