Humber businesses offered new way to cut energy costs by 20% without upfront investment

BUSINESSES across the region are being offered a new way to reduce energy costs and protect themselves from future price volatility, thanks to a new partnership between local energy specialist HDM Energy and British Gas.

The new Fixed Solar Saver proposition combines a fully funded solar and battery system with a fixed-price British Gas electricity tariff, helping eligible businesses access renewable energy without the need for upfront investment.

At a time when many SMEs continue to face pressure from rising costs and economic uncertainty, the solution has been designed to help organisations lower their energy bills, improve sustainability and bring greater predictability to one of their largest operating expenses.

Eligible customers could reduce electricity costs by around 20% on average, while benefiting from long-term energy certainty and reduced exposure to future market fluctuations.

Helping Yorkshire businesses stay competitive

For many organisations, investing in solar has traditionally required significant capital expenditure, placing it beyond the reach of smaller businesses.

Fixed Solar Saver removes that barrier.

HDM Energy designs, funds, installs and maintains the system, allowing customers to benefit from on-site renewable energy without committing capital or managing the infrastructure themselves.

The proposition has been developed specifically to make renewable energy more accessible to growing businesses that want lower costs and more predictable energy spending but may not have the budget or resources to invest in solar independently.

Dave Roberts, Managing Director of HDM Energy, said:

"Across Yorkshire and the Humber, we're speaking to businesses every day that are feeling the impact of rising operating costs and continued uncertainty in the energy market.

“Energy remains one of the biggest overheads for many organisations, but for too long the benefits of solar have only been accessible to businesses with significant capital to invest.

“We’re here to change that and to help businesses. We fund the solar system, deliver it and keep it performing, allowing customers to benefit from lower-cost renewable energy without the upfront investment.

“As a business with offices in Sheffield and Hull, we're passionate about helping organisations across the region become more competitive, more resilient and better prepared for the future."

Matt Wood, Director, Centrica Business Energy & Services, said:

"Businesses consistently tell us they want to reduce energy costs and improve their sustainability performance, but many don't have the capital or resources to invest in solar themselves.

Fixed Solar Saver makes renewable energy more accessible and more straightforward. By bringing together British Gas and HDM Energy's expertise, we're helping businesses take a more predictable and affordable approach to energy."

Supporting growth across the region

Lower and more predictable energy costs can help businesses free up capital to invest elsewhere, whether that's recruiting staff, upgrading facilities, improving productivity or expanding operations.

By reducing reliance on grid electricity and increasing the use of locally generated renewable energy, Fixed Solar Saver also supports wider sustainability ambitions and helps organisations reduce their carbon footprint.

The proposition is initially launching as a pilot with selected eligible business customers.