Building integrated energy strategies within food and drink manufacturing

Leading food and drink manufacturers are transforming their approach to energy. They’re leveraging it to reduce costs, enhance operational resilience, and meet sustainability targets. This has been driven by the mounting pressures that demand a smarter approach to energy: 

• Volatile energy prices and rising costs
• The need for uninterrupted production uptime
• Increasing demands for carbon reduction and sustainability reporting 

Traditional, piecemeal energy initiatives — such as isolated solar installations or one-off equipment upgrades — are insufficient. Instead, an integrated energy strategy is emerging as the gold standard. 

Integrated Energy Strategy: What It Looks Like 

A holistic energy strategy begins with a thorough analysis of energy usage. By deploying sensors, sub-meters, and conducting audits, manufacturers can establish a baseline and identify inefficiencies. 

Leading food and drink manufacturers define energy goals in operational and financial terms: 

• Reduce energy cost per unit of output
• Eliminate downtime caused by power issues
• Cut CO₂ emissions per tonne of product 

This framing ensures buy-in from senior leadership, aligning energy goals with broader business objectives. 

Coordinated Roadmap of Solutions 

Efficiency improvements in existing systems are prioritised to unlock immediate savings. Then, tailored energy technologies are then introduced to meet specific needs: 

• Heat Pumps for low-temperature processes
• Combined Heat and Power for high-temperature, consistent heat loads
• Solar PV to manage peak demand and provide renewable power
• Microgrids to overcome grid constraints and boost resilience 

Each element complements the others, creating a resilient and efficient energy ecosystem. 

Smarter Financing and Management 

Innovative funding models help overcome budgetary constraints and accelerate implementation. 

Power Purchase Agreements can fund new Solar PV installations, with no upfront capital. Solar PV is installed on underutilised roof space, ground space, or on a solar carport. You’ll just pay for the electricity generated by the system, at a kWh price typically lower than grid pricing, with no upfront capital expenditure. 

Similarly, Discount Energy Purchase agreements can be utilised to find new CHP installations – again, with no upfront costs, and a simply p/kWh ongoing fee. 

Partnering with a single energy solutions provider streamlines execution and ensures accountability for outcomes across the entire system. 

Continuous Optimisation 

Energy management isn’t a set-and-forget exercise. Top-performing food and drink manufacturers use digital monitoring and regular KPI reviews to refine their strategies, against targets that are business-led: 

• £/MWh avoided
• Self-generation percentage
• CO₂ per unit output
• Minutes of protected operation during grid events 

This data-driven approach ensures sustained benefits and continuous improvement. 

Next steps for food and drink manufacturers 

To embark on this journey, manufacturers should: 

• Engage experienced energy partners
• Conduct comprehensive audits
• Develop multi-faceted plans aligned with business goals 

Treating energy as a strategic priority positions food and drink manufacturers to thrive in an increasingly demanding market. By embracing an integrated energy strategy, businesses can future-proof operations, enhance competitiveness, and contribute meaningfully to a low-carbon economy. 

Energy is no longer just a cost—it’s the secret ingredient for success.