Almost three quarters of SMEs would like to see greater commitment to renewables from their energy suppliers according to a new study which also found that only a small proportion highly rate the support and options for renewable energy they currently receive.
The energy market report from Haven Power found that 72% would like energy suppliers to be more committed to renewables, while only 11% would rate their current energy supplier as ‘excellent’ when it comes to renewable energy.
Only one in five (21%) believe their supplier is completely committed to renewable energy while almost a third say theirs is either not committed at all or are unsure if they even offer a renewable energy supply.
According to Jonathan Kini, chief executive of Haven Power, the study’s results show a huge gap in the market.
“That so many SMEs are dissatisfied with their existing energy supplier is perhaps unsurprising, but the sheer scale of the discontent revealed in this report remains shocking. SMEs want more from their supplier and a commitment to renewable energy is one of the demands they are pushing for.
“This suggests there is some fundamental change happening, and we in the energy sector need to respond to it by not only helping SMEs reduce their energy usage but also being able to supply 100% renewable energy,” he said.
Digital businesses emerged as the key driver for demand among SMEs for renewable energy supply, with 80% agreeing or strongly agreeing that they would like their energy supplier to support renewable energy. However, not a single respondent said they received support from their supplier when it comes to using renewable energy.
Kini added: “This research is something of a wake-up call to many in the energy supply sector. It tells us what SMEs want in terms of renewable energy options, and what they expect from their supplier to help them achieve their goals of greener energy and lower usage.”
Green energy tariffs have emerged as an area of significant activity as commercial entities of varying sizes seek to improve their environmental credibility. Many members of the RE100, who have pledged to fully adopt renewable energy across all their operations, purchase green energy in addition to their own generation capabilities.
However, the report suggests that SMEs find it more difficult to switch to green tariffs, with 71% agreeing that it should be simpler to switch supplier.
