The value of working with third party intermediaries

With a number of manufacturing customers seeking the advice of consultants throughout their energy buying cycle, it is increasingly important that we offer third party intermediaries (TPIs) our expertise about the fast evolving energy market for customers. It was in a report only last year that we found almost 80% of TPIs would like to better understand energy policy and legislation, and we see it as our job to demystify the complexities of the market. The first quarter of this year alone has already seen significant developments in the forthcoming electricity market reform (EMR), with the Department of Energy & Climate Change recently announcing eight major renewable electricity projects under EMR and the Government taking the decision to freeze the Carbon Price Floor. Energy managers, from both large and small manufacturing businesses, need to become more agile to respond to these policy changes in order to take greater control of their energy costs and make significant savings to the bottom line. What's clear is that we therefore need to work closely both with customers and consultants in order to ensure that energy buyers are kept up to date and able to make informed decisions around their energy usage and procurement strategies. With EMR having a number of significant cost implications for manufacturers, we have taken steps to estimate the magnitude of these costs and educate businesses on future energy requirements. Being one of the only suppliers to take this approach, we've held numerous webinars and roundtables with customers to ensure that they are well informed of changes in policy and how this could impact their business. We'll be holding another webinar on EMR in late June to take customers through the final design details. The session will provide key information on CfDs and other policy milestones announced by DECC this quarter. If you would like any further information on the webinar sessions we run, please e-mail us at business@npower.com or follow us on Twitter @npowerbusiness