Greater investment in strategic energy management

The survey voices the concerns of manufacturers and recognises that investment in energy management is not without significant barriers, including the perception of extensive payback periods and businesses prioritising other investments.

The rise of energy on the boardroom agenda is emphasised by the fact that over a third of CEOs and MDs retain control over energy efficiency decisions, with a similar number taking the lead on procurement.  While the survey shows that specialists tend to be introduced in companies once turnover exceeds £20m, of all manufacturers surveyed, decisions were still taken at board level by half of companies.

The survey highlights that manufacturers are taking their responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint seriously. Reducing electricity bills is cited by more than two-thirds of manufacturers as the main benefit of investing in energy efficiency, while a similar number see a reduced footprint as the main benefit arising from their energy efficiency investment.

Many manufacturers are now taking a positive approach to managing their energy, with two-thirds having already undertaken energy audits, and more than half have adopted lighting efficiency strategies.

EEF believes Government should reintroduce the full industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator programme, which focused on the next generation of energy efficiency improvements at a sector level.