𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A new Government tool designed to help businesses cut energy costs has suggested pubs turn off fridges used to chill beer bottle overnight. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, spearheaded by Labour’s net zero champion Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, said hundreds more pubs, restaurants and hotels will receive access to the free energy saving and carbon reduction tool.

The announcement on Tuesday came amid a spike in energy prices due to the crisis in the Middle East and Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Disruption to the key global trade route saw oil prices last week exceed over $100 (almost £75) a barrel for the first time in four years. Reports suggest price rises could see Britain’s under-pressure pub sector have to fork out nearly £170 million a year more in energy bills.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said more than 525 establishments are set to benefit from the Government-funded advice following a successful 12-month trial.

It said the online saving tool helped reduce the average energy bills of 90 hospitality businesses by almost £2,500 during the period, by slashing overnight energy consumption by up to 66% in some cases.

The gadget provided real-time alerts to reduce “unnecessary electricity use from wasted energy hotspots including extraction systems, fridges, ovens and lamps”, Mr Miliband’s department said.

Zero Carbon Services is delivering the tool, backed by £350,000 of Government money.

Mark Chapman, the firm’s CEO, said: “When you put energy savings into real hospitality terms, the impact becomes very clear.

“Saving around £2,000 a year is the equivalent of the profit from selling thousands of pints, or the breathing space that protects hard-won margins during quieter months.”

Mr Miliband’s department also claimed that a pub in Bromley, south London, that took part in the trial cut its energy usage by 26%, saving them £48 per week.

“Over a year, that reduction will prevent nearly £2,500 of yearly profit being lost to energy waste,” it said.

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said: “Our pubs and restaurants are playing a leading role in cutting emissions, which is not only good for the planet but for cutting their costs too.

“Alongside this, our clean power mission will protect businesses in the long-term. The conflict in the Middle East is yet another reminder that the only route to energy sovereignty is to end our dependence on fossil fuel markets we do not control and transition to clean homegrown power.”

The Government has looked to double down on its clean energy push in response to the spike in fossil fuel prices, while also announcing a £53 million support package for “vulnerable” heating oil customers.