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Posted 1 year ago | 2 minute read
UK manufacturers fear energy costs to hit output
Almost two-thirds of manufacturers in Britain fear blackouts this winter amid the fallout from the energy crisis, according to an industry survey, as concerns grow about government plans to cut financial support for businesses.
According to a survey of senior manufacturing industry bosses by Make UK and PwC, 70% of companies expect their energy costs to increase this year, with two-thirds saying they expect to cut production or jobs as a result. Three out of five manufacturers said they were increasingly concerned about energy blackouts affecting their business, while almost two-thirds (64%) said higher energy costs posed the biggest risk to their company. More than 13% have specifically considered closing the business or implementing shutdowns, with more than one-in-10 considering relocating production to countries with lower energy costs.
The report noted that pioneering manufacturers can reduce costs by exploring on-site electricity generation and proactively exploring new opportunities by investing in the right areas, such as ESG, green tech and decarbonisation.
This report comes as chancellor Jeremy Hunt, prepares to unveil a package of measures this week to help businesses with high energy costs, including the extension of a scheme beyond its March expiry date. But it is expected that the support available will be reduced after Hunt warned that existing spending is “unsustainably expensive”.
GridBeyond Managing Director Mark Davis said:
“The currently volatile energy market has placed pressure on all sectors of the economy, including industrial and commercial businesses. Managing the associated cost and risk challenges requires a comprehensive approach to energy procurement and consumption.
“By proactively optimising and managing energy use, in addition to taking action on energy-efficiency measures across your assets, industrials could reduce their energy costs significantly and ensure long-term resilience to energy price volatility.
“Whether your objective is budget certainty, budget improvement, price optimisation or a combination of all three, our team of experts, combined with our world-leading technology can lead you to procurement success, ensuring that your business can be confident when buying energy. Using AI and Robotic Trading combined with the expertise of our trading experts and Data Scientists, GridBeyond’s services open the door for your business to take your energy strategy from passive purchasing and consumption to active energy management and trading.”
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