Despite the recent cut in energy prices the overall trend is upwards, so organisations should not be deterred from investing in energy efficiency measures, warns Sabien Technology. The company particularly recommends investigating relatively low cost/fast payback measures that are available using proven retrofit technologies.
The warning coincides with a report by the London School of Economics (LSE) predicting that energy costs will rise over the next 10-15 years, regardless of any measures the government may take.
“The LSE study has crucially looked at the longer term trends, which helps to promote the bigger picture, rather than the moves by some suppliers hoping to improve their customer image with cuts which have effectively followed persistent price increases since 2001,” said Sabien Chief Executive Alan O’Brien.
“UK businesses should not forget the impact of energy and climate change policies on the prices. According to
DECC, energy bills for non-domestic users will increase by 26% by 2020 due to
energy policies, these increases will
happen regardless of milder weather” he added.
Some of the greatest volatility in prices has been seen in gas markets, so reducing gas consumption should be a priority for both public and private sector organisations. One such option is to take control of boiler dry cycling (an energy-wasting phenomenon that is found in most boilers) by using Sabien’s M2G technology.
Lincolnshire County Council, for example, reduced its gas consumption by 15% after installing M2G in 23 properties – with a projected return on investment of just 1.3 years.
Public sector organisations may also be able to take advantage of Salix funding, with an extra £20m having been made available by DECC for use before the end of March 2012.