How to switch to renewable energy

Generating and using renewable energy can help you to reduce your business' contribution to climate change and avoid using carbon intensive resources such as fossil fuels.

Advantages of renewable energy

Renewable energy offers a wide range of benefits to businesses, including:

• Improving your environmental credentials and strengthening your brand - customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly want to deal with businesses which show that they are environmentally responsible.
• A more secure energy supply - fossil fuels won't last forever and supply is increasingly dependent on imports from overseas. Renewable energy sources are naturally occurring and won't run out.
• Exemption from paying duty under the climate change levy - this duty is a tax on the energy used by businesses.
• Building relationships with businesses that have similar values - for example, you may be able to work with other local organisations on a renewable energy project.
• Stable energy costs - gas and oil price rises are reflected in customers' energy bills. Renewable energy sources are not subject to the same price rises as fossil fuels.
• Future proofing - renewable energy use will become more widespread, with legislation already placing targets for its use in certain new developments. Switching sooner rather than later will give your business early experience of renewable energy.

Even if your organisation's core business is not in the renewable energy sector, switching to renewable energy could still provide you with an additional revenue stream.