The energy market is one of the biggest global markets in the world, powering our daily lives and shaping the planet’s future. But it’s a system that is broken and has been for some time now. 

This is because the status quo in the energy sector has always been in favour of the big energy providers, who profit off a market that’s remained pretty much unchanged since it was set up to sell oil and gas in the 1980s. 

Today’s energy system is not just broken, but it has been deliberately designed to keep the majority of businesses in the dark. Currently, 99% of UK businesses have no option but to buy their energy through a complex market that leaves them facing volatility, poor service, hidden fees and with no idea of where their energy comes from. 

Why we commissioned this report

For too long we have been made to believe that energy is too complex to master or change (and if you need proof, just take a look at your last energy bill). 

But living with 40 years of unchanged power dynamics, British businesses are finally calling for a shift in how we design our energy systems. And at tem. we want to help fast-track that change. 

We commissioned this research to understand what British businesses really make of their energy today, from how they feel about their providers to their knowledge of fuel mix and understanding of costs. Because if we have any hope of accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future, then we must first know where the blindspots are.

What we found

Based on data collected from over 500 independent UK businesses, our research revealed a number of misconceptions and pinpointed some major problems with today’s energy system.

It’s clear that businesses are anxious about an impending energy crisis, with more than half (57%) of businesses saying that their suppliers aren’t doing enough to protect them from another rise in their bills. Faith in the energy sector is fading fast and businesses generally feel unsupported – just 20% of businesses claim to wholeheartedly trust their energy suppliers. 

What’s more, businesses are confused about their energy’s source, what makes up their bill, and what it takes to transition to renewables. More than a third (37%) of businesses don’t actually know where their energy comes from.

The cost of renewable energy was high on the agenda, but also hugely misunderstood. Over half (52%) of business owners wrongly believe that transitioning to cleaner energy sources would increase their bills. 

This confusion, coupled with growing mistrust, highlights a need for more transparency in the way energy is bought and sold. 

A brighter energy future

We initially hoped to share these findings with our team and our partners, but now we’re releasing them wider to reach as many business leaders as possible. 

If we can encourage just one business to question their bill, question their source mix, and question the real cost of transitioning to renewables, then we’ve made progress. 

And if we can help one of them to switch to RED(™) and access true renewable energy by paying less for it, then we’ve made a real step in solving the energy crisis and climate crisis in one.

For a deeper dive into the current state of play in business energy, you can download the full report below.