Free energy webinar: just three days to go

14-Sep-2014 - Last updated on 15-Sep-2014 at 10:12 GMT

Don't miss your free place at our energy savings webinar at 1100 on Thursday September 18

With just three days to go until the Food Manufacture Group’s free, one-hour webinar on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), we have collected together key quotes that capture how energy has dominated headlines over the summer.

From the National Grid’s tender for additional electricity supplies to a former cabinet insider's plea for a national energy policy, we chart in words what key figures said about energy consumption by food and drink manufacturers and the wider energy market.

Meanwhile, our online seminar – Energy savings opportunity scheme: switching on to savings – will take place at 11am GMT on Thursday September 18. Taking part in the event – sponsored by energy specialist JRP Solutions – will be the boss of Britain’s largest independent cheese producer Wyke Farms and experts from government and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). See full panel below.

Making energy savings

The ESOS scheme requires all firms with more than 250 employees to conduct audits before December 2015. Whether or not ESOS applies to your food and drink manufacturing businesses, making energy savings can make a key difference to the profitability of small to medium-sized entrepreneurs too, according to Jes Rutter, md of JRP Solutions.

Once registered, delegates can listen to the webinar at any time, any number of times, after its broadcast. There is no limit on the number of people who can register to attend the webinar.

The session will end with a questions and answers. You can put your question to our expert panel during the webinar, or in advance by emailing Michael.stones@wrbm.com.

Webinar panel

• Richard Clothier, md of Wyke Farms

• Martin Adams, ESOS team leader, Energy Efficiency Deployment Office

• Steve Reeson, FDF head of climate change and energy policy

• Jes Rutter, md JRP Solutions

Energy efficiency in quotes

Martin Adams, ESOS team leader, Energy Efficiency Deployment Office: “It [ESOS] has the potential to save businesses thousands of pounds a year through reduced energy bills. If ESOS participants reduce energy consumption by an average of 1% it would lead to net benefits to the UK of £1.6bn over the next 15 years.”

Steve Barker, Siemens Industry head of energy efficiency and environmental care: “For the industrial sector, and the food and beverage sector in particular, the challenges around managing energy consumption will only intensify in the years to come and doing nothing is not an option for businesses that want to thrive.”

Former cabinet insider: “We should thank President Putin for focusing attention on the security of energy supplies.

“Green energy is less popular than because the country has discovered it costs more [than conventional sources of power generation]. New investment and sources of gas is what we require.”

Richard Clothier, Wyke Farms md: “100% green [energy] is an ongoing journey that we remain committed to. We are excited to be communicating our green message this year, alongside all of the other Wyke brand values that shoppers are familiar with. This will ensure that Wyke Farms will remain a national grocery brand with a unique point of difference.”

Matthew Elliott, chief executive campaign group Business for Britain: “Poorly-designed policy and unrealistic targets have conspired to help push up energy bills and put jobs at risk, but failed to open up the market for cross border trade.

“Renegotiation offers a once in a generation opportunity to get a better deal for British business and fix the EU’s broken energy policy. It’s time for the commission to make good its commitment to subsidiarity and allow Member States to decide for themselves how they meet EU emission targets.”

Cordi O’Hara, National Grid’s director of UK market operation: “This is a sensible precaution to take [launching a tender for additional electricity supplies] while the picture for this winter remains uncertain. At this stage, we don’t know if these reserve services will be needed, but they could provide an additional safeguard.”

Angela Knight, Energy UK chief executive: “At a time when massive investment is required to change how the UK generates to meet the UK’s climate change targets, companies have to make a fair profit and customers need to know what they are paying for.

“We all need clear explanations and this should include common definitions of the terms we use –particularly when talking about profit that is left after all costs, investment and taxes.”

Adam Pigott, Schneider Electric head of energy consulting: “For businesses, while the main premise of going green may be to ensure legislative compliance and energy saving, the reality is that it is vital to business success. With rising ethical consumerism and increased credence on corporate social responsibility, the businesses of today that will grow and evolve in the future will be the ones who do things the right way.”

Jes Rutter, md JRP Solutions: “I would advise anyone to look in depth at who they are going to use for energy management consultancy. You really need someone who’s got good practical implementation experience that’s actually going to make a difference.”

“There is a moral responsibility on organisations wider than just saving money or good business sense. It goes further than that, we have to care for the planet.”