RENEWABLE ENERGY


WHY ENERGY RESILIENCE IS MOVING UP THE BUSINESS AGENDA


can hold surplus power until it is needed, while smart meters, building controls and energy-management platforms can identify waste and help businesses use energy more efficiently. Combining these measures can give businesses more flexibility over when they generate, store and use energy, helping them respond to changing demand and reduce their exposure to market volatility.


PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE Rising energy costs led Marlin Industries, a


manufacturer of cable packaging products, to install on-site solar PV systems at its Wrexham and Hawick sites through a 25-year PPA. The fully funded project is expected to generate more than 640,000kWh through 2,200 solar panels each year, saving over £300,000 and cutting annual carbon emissions by 123 tonnes. John Droog, chief executive of Marlin Industries,


Sophie Lamb, head of solar delivery for Power Zero, explains why more businesses are turning to solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), on-site generation and smarter energy management


F


or energy-intensive businesses, energy costs have become increasingly difficult to predict,


while geopolitical uncertainty, fluctuating wholesale prices and pressure on the electricity network have also raised concerns about security of supply. However, from manufacturing and


pharmaceuticals to automotive and logistics, companies need a reliable power supply to operate, control costs or work towards net zero goals.


TAKING CONTROL OVER ENERGY Cutting carbon remains an important reason to


invest in renewable energy, but it is no longer the only one. Cost control and security of supply now carry just as much weight. Businesses cannot control global events or


wholesale markets, but they can take more control over how their energy is generated, bought and used. That is why we’re finding more companies are considering solar PPAs. The provider funds, installs, and maintains the system, while the customer buys the electricity it generates at an agreed rate. This gives organisations access to lower-carbon electricity while protecting capital for other priorities, and it can reduce reliance on grid power and make long-term energy costs easier to plan. From conversations with energy-intensive


businesses, this is not simply a reaction to a difficult period in the market. Many are reviewing how exposed their operations would be if prices rose sharply again or grid constraints affected supply. That means looking beyond the price paid for electricity today and considering what the


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business will need over the next 10 or 20 years. For energy-critical sectors like manufacturing,


resilience is closely tied to productivity. An interruption to power can stop production, delay orders and affect customers, so greater control over energy generation is becoming a key priority, as well as a financial and environmental one.


WHICH SECTORS ARE LEADING THE SHIFT? Demand is strongest among businesses with


large sites and consistent daytime electricity use – and we’re seeing this across chemicals through to food and drink manufacturers. Across many sectors, energy is a major operating


cost, and production cannot simply stop when prices rise. At the same time, customers and supply chain partners want to see credible progress on carbon reduction. We’re finding solar PPAs are helping address these issues, offering lower costs, greater certainty, and measurable carbon savings without a large upfront investment. Stable prices may reduce the immediate pressure,


but they do not remove the risk of future volatility. Recent years have shown how quickly conditions can change and how exposed businesses can be when relying heavily on the grid. A solar PPA is a long-term decision, not simply a reaction to a short-term price rise. On-site generation, predictable pricing and lower emissions remain relevant even when markets are calmer.


LOOKING BEYOND SOLAR Solar is only one part of the picture. Battery storage


ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2026 www.essmag.co.uk


said: “Energy market volatility showed us the importance of having greater control over our electricity generation. The solar installations will reduce our exposure to changing grid prices, while supporting our long-term net-zero ambitions. They will help us strengthen the resilience of our operations and reduce our environmental impact without disrupting production.”


BALANCING RESILIENCE WITH NET ZERO Cost control and net zero should not be


treated as competing priorities. A well-planned energy strategy can support both, but the right approach will depend on the site. The first step is understanding when and


where energy is used. Some businesses may benefit most from a solar PPA, while others will need battery storage, better monitoring, or improved building controls. What matters is choosing measures that deliver


clear savings, protect operations and reduce exposure to future energy market disruption.


Power Zero www.power-zero.co.uk


Sophie Lamb


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