There’s some “great work” going on in the consultancy sector helping businesses fill a gaping “knowledge gap” according to energy supplier npower, which is the lead sponsor of exciting new awards programme The Energy Live Consultancy Awards (TELCAs).

Chris Billing, Head of Indirect Sales for npower’s Industrial and Commercial Markets division said: “Many businesses simply don’t have the resource in-house to be able to manage their own energy purchasing, so prefer to use a consultant to manage the process.”

npower is sponsoring the TELCA categories for SME and I&C Consultancies of the Year 2013, both of which have been shortlisted from votes by business energy users.

Chris believes a transformation has taken place in the energy sector: “In a relatively short timeframe, we have gone from businesses signing an annual energy contract to an extremely sophisticated market that requires trading skills, detailed monitoring and targeting know-how as well as an understanding of onsite generation capability – and that’s just for starters!”

He explains: “It’s easy to see why energy experts offering consultancy services have been in demand to fill this gap. For instance, it has been estimated that approximately 70-80% of UK companies use a consultant in some form so, for us and other energy companies, it’s a channel that we shouldn’t overlook.”

For customers, getting two opinions can be “valuable”, he says: “Customers greatly appreciate the overview of suppliers that consultants can present which, when combined with the advice skills of a good consultant, means the end user is more likely to feel comfortable they’re getting the best energy solution available to them.”

Winners of The Energy Live Consultancy Awards will be announced at the inaugural, Oscars-style ceremony on June 27th.