Member Article

SMEs confused over renewable energy

Some small businesses are being put off renewable energies because they find them too confusing, and perceive costs to be high.

A UK poll of SMEs by Northampton based Opus Energy, suggests that many businesses are savvy to the benefits of renewable energy sources, but many are still put off from investing in it.

Three quarters of small business respondents that are not currently on a specific renewable energy tariff said they would consider it in the future.

The remaining businesses ruled it out as a result of cost (47%) and complexity (18%), and around one third (29%) claimed not to be interested.

Managing director of Opus Energy, Charlie Crossley Cooke, said: “We estimate that around 10% of every customer’s bill is made up of green subsidies and that the proportion of renewable subsidies that all UK businesses pay will rise by around 25% over the next 12 months.

“SMEs are paying for renewable energy whether it’s clear to them or not.

“There needs to be more transparency for small businesses around the contribution they are already making to renewables - and perhaps then there’ll be greater take up by SMEs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .