Jon Perks
Small Business Director, EDF
Energy prices are easing after years of volatility, but uncertainty remains — posing ongoing cost pressures for small businesses with already tight margins.
Working in EDF’s small business team, I see the pressures our customers face every day. Many are juggling rising costs, decarbonisation targets and the challenges of an increasingly complex energy landscape. That’s why our mission isn’t just to supply energy; it’s to empower businesses to take control of it.
Real-time energy insight
A critical part of empowerment is data. We believe smart metering — specifically, access to half-hourly consumption data — is the future. Businesses that embrace it early will reap the rewards.
The wider market is already moving in this direction. From compliance standards to industry regulations and new tariffs, the push towards real-time data and smart infrastructure is underway.
There’s a clear advantage to getting ahead of this curve. Installing a smart meter with half-hourly readings now gives business owners unprecedented visibility into their energy use. It enables them to spot inefficiencies, adjust behaviour and plan usage more effectively. Whether that means shifting processes to off-peak times or identifying wasteful patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Smart metering isn’t just
coming; it’s already here.
Team-powered efficiency
Engaging employees in energy efficiency isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. When staff understand how their actions impact energy use, they become active participants in reducing costs and waste. From switching off unused equipment to embracing smarter scheduling, minor changes made by many can add up quickly. Encouraging a culture of shared responsibility empowers teams and aligns everyone with the business’s goals because managing energy well is a team effort, not just a management task.
Strategic energy intelligence advantage
In short, the power of data transforms energy from a static overhead into a dynamic part of business strategy. Think about how you interact with your financial data: tracking sales, managing invoices, scrutinising cash flow. Energy deserves the same attention. When businesses start treating their energy data like their bank statements, they make smarter decisions, become more resilient and unlock potential savings that can be reinvested elsewhere.
Smart metering is a must
At EDF, we’re here to support that transition — not just with technology, but with the insight and service to make it work for you. Smart meters are not a box-ticking exercise; they’re the gateway to a more informed, agile and sustainable way of operating.
Yes, prices may have dipped, but complacency is a risk. Now is the time for businesses to act, not react. Smart metering isn’t just coming; it’s already here. The question is: will you lead or follow?
