SMEs looking for tailored services to cut energy costs

Utilities can help SMEs cut energy costs by providing services tailored to their needs as they are turning to them to relieve the burden. That’s according to a new survey […]

Utilities can help SMEs cut energy costs by providing services tailored to their needs as they are turning to them to relieve the burden.

That’s according to a new survey by consultancy group Accenture which revealed the majority (85%) of SMEs expect solutions targeted to their business needs but only 27% believe they are receiving a tailored experience.

As many as 96% of respondents said they would be interested in specific services for SMEs and more than a third (35%) said they would be willing to pay a premium for such services. 65% also said they would be interested in products that would allow them to generate their own electricity such as solar panels and wind turbines.

However, less than a third (27%) of SMEs trust their utility to inform them about actions they can take to optimise their energy usage, with 65% saying they would consider a non-traditional energy provider such as a retailer, energy broker or an online site for purchasing energy efficient products if that would help cut energy bills.

Greg Guthridge, Global Managing Director for Accenture Energy Consumer Services said: “In this era of economic uncertainty and fundamental change in the evolving energy marketplace, utilities have an incredible opportunity to engage these often-neglected SMEs, which have long been considered the backbone of economic growth.”

More than two-thirds of businesses said they would also switch providers if that helps them cut bills.

Latest Podcast