Member Article

Northumberland energy business replicates successful Essex business model

A Northumberland renewable energy company has transferred its successful Essex business model to the North East - already proving its capabilities - through securing large scale renewable commercial projects which are set to regenerate the region and help bring vulnerable people in the community out of fuel poverty.

Having successfully established and managed Essex company - Saving Energy - Ashington based Managing Director Garry Coulson was convinced he could return to his North East roots and replicate its success.

And having secured 2 major commercial contracts in only 4 weeks and with a projected annual turnover of 4 million pounds in only their first year of trading, they are doing exactly that.

Speaking on the company’s success, Garry said: “Our mission when establishing Saving Energy was to help vulnerable people significantly reduce their fuel bills, whilst installing energy efficiency measures to help save the environment. There was a noticeable gap in the market to set up a company of our calibre in the North East, making a real difference in improving the quality of people’s lives in the community and providing an opportunity to boost the region’s economy through job creation.”

And that is exactly what the business is doing, with a commercial model that is focusing on employing local people who have experienced long term unemployment and need a training programme that will help them back into sustainable employment. To date the business has created 28 jobs for people from the local community and is looking to employ a further 20 over the coming 3 months.

Established in February 2014, Saving Energy Renewables North East – based in Ashington – has been commissioned to install solar panels for two large scale and local commercial projects.

Working alongside Northumberland Aged Mineworkers Home Association (NAMHA), Saving Energy is currently underway fitting 400 purpose built bungalows with solar PV. Similarly, Arch Developments has commissioned the company to install solar PV to 380 properties located in one of the most deprived areas of the North East.

The solar PV installations to almost 800 properties will see tenants electricity bills significantly reduce, lifting some of the region’s most vulnerable residents out of fuel poverty. And as such, the installations will save over 14 million tonnes of carbon polluting the environment.

“We have a strong CSR ethos at Saving Energy and actively seek to help create job pathways for unemployed people and have implemented an advanced training programme to consistently encourage and reward career progression within the company,” said Garry. “Not only do we want to help get people back into work, but we also want to provide our staff with the highly acquired skills that will enable them to develop a long term, successful and rewarding career.”

Garry has further ambitions to expand the business in its second year with plans to doubling both annual turnover and the company’s number of employees.

The business’ commitment to its local community is further evident by its support and financial commitment to Ashington F.C and Ulgham C.C as well as its sponsorship for one of Newcastle Falcon’s leading rugby players, Alesana Tuilagi.

Garry added: “We are passionate about investing in local talent and firmly believe that by supporting sponsorship activity we can actively engage with the local community and influence a cultural change, encouraging them to adopt energy efficiency measures that will improve their lives through reduced energy bills and warmer homes.”

Saving Energy Renewables North East offer a range of renewable products and services to both domestic and commercial customers. Their end to end services extend from biomass, solar PV and solar thermal through to external wall insulation, LED lighting and boiler changes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Scarab4 .