Background

With annual energy costs in excess of £1 million per annum and growing, this cheese manufacturer faces considerable pressure to combat energy cost increases. Optimised Energy have worked with this client for several years, managing their Climate Change Agreement and acting as a broker for their energy purchasing. With rising energy costs, we were given the opportunity, initially for 12 months to help identify and implement ways to improve energy efficiency through capital projects, data analytics and best practise.

Challenge

As one of the UK’s most respected cheese manufacturers serving retail, wholesale, food service and export markets to exacting standards, energy efficiency is not always forefront. Identifying capital projects that met rigorous investment criteria and did not impact production operation or output was tasking. The site’s processing departments share the main energy infrastructure, so implementing opportunities in these areas without disruption were challenging to ensure operational excellence and profitability are maintained.

Results

The output of our analysis and project identification has resulted in 11 feasible projects, including 1 requiring significant investment. Currently one is complete and three are in progress and when completed will give a 12 month projected saving of £50,000. All projects are measured and verified according to International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP). Energy consumption and costs are now discussed regularly at management meetings with full visibility and opportunities are being raised by site for Optimised Energy to investigate and progress. 

This manufacturer has continued to benefit from Optimised Energy’s managed energy services approach, as we dovetail energy saving projects with their energy procurement and compliance strategies to enhance both environmental and economic sustainability.