Business energy procurement and management
Gas and electricity contracts affect more than your unit rate. How you buy, the terms you agree and the accuracy of your bills all matter.
Cameron Associates helps businesses buy energy, manage price risk and check the costs that follow. We work with small and large organisations, from a single premises to a portfolio of sites.
Independent advice. Direct contact with Sean Cameron.
Energy procurement
We help you choose a purchasing approach around your energy use, budget and tolerance for price changes.
Fixed-price procurement
Agree energy rates for a defined contract period. This can make budgeting easier, but a fixed rate does not mean a fixed total bill. Your consumption, the charges included and any permitted contract changes still matter.
Flexible procurement
Buy energy in stages during the contract rather than making one purchasing decision at the start. Options depend on the supplier and contract, from market-linked purchasing to arrangements that allow volumes to be bought and sold back. Prices can move against you as well as in your favour.
Portfolio-managed procurement
Smaller energy users may be able to access flexible purchasing by joining a managed group. Cameron Associates brings together businesses whose combined consumption can qualify for a flexible contract. We explain how purchasing decisions, charges and each business's share are handled.
Energy risk management
The right contract needs a clear buying policy behind it. We help you decide how much price exposure your business can accept and how that should guide purchasing.
- Review consumption, renewal dates and likely changes in demand.
- Agree the balance between price certainty and exposure to the market.
- Consider staged buying, decision points and purchasing authority.
- Review the position as markets and business requirements change.
Flexible purchasing manages when you buy. It does not remove market risk or guarantee a lower price.
Contract and portfolio management
Managing several supplies means keeping track of contracts, sites and dates. We provide support with supplier queries, renewals and the information needed to manage your energy accounts.
Reporting and budgets
Consumption and cost reporting help you see what each site uses and how spending compares with expectations. Forecasts need to reflect changes in usage as well as prices and charges.
Contract support
Discuss registration, renewal and termination requirements before a change of supplier or site. The notice periods and obligations in your existing agreement need to be checked first.
Invoice validation and cost recovery
We review energy invoices against the contract and available meter data, then help investigate discrepancies with the supplier.
- Unit rates, standing charges and billed consumption.
- Network and other third-party charges, where applicable.
- Meter readings, billing periods and estimated usage.
- Credits, adjustments and unresolved billing queries.
Historical bills can also be reviewed where records are available. Whether a refund is due depends on the findings and the circumstances of the account.
Metering and connections
We help you review metering requirements and the arrangements needed to obtain usable consumption data.
Metering contracts and data
Review meter operator and data-service arrangements, alongside the information needed for billing, reporting and energy purchasing.
Site changes and new connections
Discuss the metering and supply implications of a new site, a change in capacity or a meter upgrade.
Submetering and export metering
Submetering can help separate consumption by building, process or occupier. If your business generates electricity, export metering and the contract for selling surplus power need to be considered together.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
Start with how much energy you use and where it goes. We help you consider efficiency measures, renewable supply options and the commercial case for generating energy on site.
- Establish a consumption baseline and identify areas for closer investigation.
- Review renewable electricity purchasing and the certificates behind the offer.
- Consider on-site generation against demand, costs and export arrangements.
- Use consumption data to assess progress after changes are made.
Renewable electricity certificates record the source of eligible generation. They do not, on their own, establish that a business has reached net zero.
Already generating electricity? See our generator servicesEnergy compliance and charges
Requirements depend on your organisation, activities and reporting obligations. We help you identify which energy and carbon matters need attention and discuss the support required.
ESOS and SECR
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) requires qualifying organisations to assess their energy use and identify savings opportunities. Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) sets energy and emissions reporting requirements for qualifying companies and limited liability partnerships. They are separate requirements with different qualification rules.
Climate Change Agreements and levy relief
Climate Change Agreements can give eligible operators a Climate Change Levy discount in return for meeting agreed targets. Other exemptions or reliefs depend on the activity and the applicable rules. These may include qualifying mineralogical or metallurgical processes and support for energy-intensive industries.
Network and capacity charges
A review can check the charging basis for your supply, including capacity and the relevant network charging band. Eligibility for a change or refund must be established from your site's circumstances.
Before we speak
If you have them, keep a recent energy bill, your contract end date and approximate annual consumption to hand. For several sites, a list of supplies is useful. You can still get in touch if you do not have everything yet.
Business energy questions
Can you help a small business or a single site?
Is a flexible contract always cheaper?
Can you check bills without changing our supplier?
Do all businesses need ESOS or SECR?
Talk to Sean about your business energy
Tell us what you need help with, whether that is a renewal, a billing query or a wider review of your energy arrangements.
Request a call with Sean