The cost of energy is never far from the headlines.
As prices rise, more businesses are looking closely at how much power they use and where their most impactful business costs are. Energy consumption varies dramatically across sectors, but certain industries consistently sit higher than others.
From refrigeration and commercial kitchens to lighting and round the clock operations, some businesses rely heavily on electricity and gas to keep running.
Let’s consider the average annual electricity usage, measured in kilowatt hours, for common UK businesses:
Which businesses consume the most energy?
1. Supermarkets
Large supermarkets use an average of 1,130,000 kWh a year. Refrigeration alone accounts for a significant portion of that figure.
Add large freezer units, extended lighting hours, bakery equipment and heating or cooling systems, and energy use can increase quickly.
2. Hotels
Hotels with on-site restaurants, pools or spa facilities can reach approximately 250,000 kWh per year.
Hot water, laundry, lighting, heating and air conditioning all contribute to consistent energy demand throughout the day and night.
3. 24 Hour Gyms and Leisure Centres
A 24-hour gym can use roughly 125,000 kWh annually.
Equipment, lighting, showers, pool systems, ventilation and constant operation all drive usage higher than many standard retail premises.
4. Restaurants
Busy commercial kitchens rely on ovens, grills, fryers, refrigeration and extraction systems.
Restaurants average around 85,000 kWh a year, reflecting the high energy requirements of food preparation and storage.
5. Small Gyms with Set Opening Hours
Gyms that operate within fixed hours use less energy than round the clock facilities, averaging around 60,000 kWh per year.
Reduced operating hours naturally bring down overall consumption.
6. Small Offices
While the sustained popularity of hybrid remote working has reduced demand in some areas, small offices still average around 50,000 kWh annually.
Computers, printers, lighting, kettles, heating and cooling systems all add up across the working week.
7. Hairdressers
Even small high street salons use significant electricity. Hair dryers, straighteners, hot water systems and lighting contribute to an average of 40,000 kWh per year.
8. Clothes Stores
Retail stores with lighting displays, tills, stock rooms and climate control systems typically use around 25,000 kWh a year, even without heavy machinery.
9. Coffee Shops
Commercial coffee machines can draw between 300 and 600 watts for two cups and up to 1,500 watts for larger batches. It’s easy to be concerned about our own coffee machine use at home, but the average coffee shop uses around 19,008 kWh annually.
Why your business energy usage matters
Wholesale energy prices can fluctuate if not locked into a strong contract. With operating costs under pressure, understanding average business energy consumption is essential for businesses to consider and suppliers to plan around.
High usage sectors such as hospitality, retail and leisure face greater exposure to rising unit rates.
As such, tracking usage, reviewing contracts and securing future stability can protect margins. For many businesses, energy is one of the largest controllable overheads.
If you’d like to review your current contract or explore your options, speak to our dedicated account managers at 0800 669 6697 and find out how switching to UGP can improve strategic procurement, no matter your level of demand.
