No need to fear energy audits: Wyke Farms boss

Food and drink manufacturers have no need to fear compulsory energy audits that must be conducted by December 2015, says Wyke Farms’ boss Richard Clothier.

In this video interview – filmed after the Food Manufacture Group’s one-hour energy saving webinar last week – Clothier explains the mandatory audits could lead to significant savings for businesses.

All businesses with over 250 employees or a turnover of €50M or more are required to conduct audits by new EU legislation – the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).

Martin Adams, ESOS team leader, from the government’s Energy Efficiency Deployment Office, estimated annual savings of about £250M if manufacturers made modest cuts of just 0.7% in their energy usage.

Automatically ensure ESOS compliance

Jes Rutter, md of energy consultant JRP Solutions, underlined the need to appoint a qualified lead assessor to conduct the energy audits. He also recommended considering, over the next two months, meeting the international energy standard ISO 50,001 – which would automatically ensure ESOS compliance – and deliver continuous improvements in energy savings.

Also taking part in the webinar – sponsored by JRP Solutions – was Stephen Reeson, the Food and Drink Federation’s head of climate change and energy policy.

Missed the free-to-attend webinar? You can listen to all the presentations again and lively question and answer debate that followed here. You can listen at any time and any number of times.