frustrated with energy supplier
As a business owner, you’ve probably faced long hold times, impersonal automated responses, and endless transfers between departments just to get a simple issue resolved. Dealing with energy suppliers can be frustrating, leaving you wondering if anyone on the other end truly cares about your business needs.

The struggle with traditional energy suppliers

For many businesses, the energy supplier experience has become a game of patience. You’ve likely been there; waiting on hold, navigating complex menus, and speaking to multiple representatives who seem more interested in reading from a script than understanding your unique situation.

Where’s the personal touch?

In today’s digital age, the human touch seems to be fading fast. While digital progress is an essential part of growth and improving efficiencies for many businesses, automated systems can take over, leaving business owners like you craving real, meaningful interactions—especially when it comes to something as vital to your profitability as your energy supply.

How UGP is redefining business energy solutions

At UGP, we recognise the pain points that businesses face every day with their energy suppliers. We understand that your time is valuable, and that your business deserves attention that goes beyond just the basics. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to bring back the personal touch that’s been lost in the industry.

Direct access to real people

Tired of the endless cycle of being passed from one department to another? At UGP, we assign you a dedicated Account Manager—an actual person who knows your business and is just a phone call away. No more dealing with faceless entities; with UGP, your energy expert is always within reach, ready to provide you with the support and answers you need.

Swift and efficient issue resolution

Nothing is more frustrating than a lingering issue with your energy account, especially when it feels like no one is listening. Our UK-based customer service team is committed to resolving your queries quickly and efficiently. When you reach out to UGP, you won’t be met with long hold times or impersonal service.

Tailored solutions for your unique needs

Every business is different, and a cookie-cutter approach simply doesn’t work when it comes to energy management. At UGP, we take the time to understand your specific needs and challenges, offering bespoke solutions that fit your business like a glove.

Whether it’s managing the end-to-end switching process or providing ongoing support, we tailor our services to ensure your energy experience is as smooth and beneficial as possible.

Not Forgetting…

While our personal service sets us apart, we also offer a range of features designed to meet the complex needs of your business:

Ready to experience a different kind of energy supplier?

If you’re tired of feeling like just another account number, it’s time to make a change. Let UGP show you how a personal touch can make all the difference for your business. Contact us today to speak with a dedicated Account Manager and discover how we can help your business thrive.

Call us: 0800 669 6697

United Gas & Power – Your Partner in Business Energy Solutions

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Managing energy contracts across multiple sites can be a task fraught with complexity. The multitude of suppliers, different rates, and varying contract end dates can create an administrative labyrinth, resulting in an enormous amount of time and resources spent on energy management. At United Gas & Power we’re challenging this status quo with a solution that our customers tell us has made a profound difference in the way they procure and manage their energy.

The solution? Aligned contract end dates. This is not just a feature of what we do, but a game-changer that offers substantial benefits, particularly to large multi-site businesses. Let’s delve deeper into how aligning your contract end dates with UGP can transform your energy management experience.

Streamlined Energy Contract Management: By aligning your contract end dates, all your energy contracts will renew on the same date. This means no more juggling numerous contract renewals at different times of the year. Instead, you get one renewal date, creating a streamlined, hassle-free experience.

Consolidated Billing & Reporting: As a multi-site customer, you’ll receive a consolidated view for all your sites. This greatly simplifies financial management, allowing you to know exactly when your bill is due, what it will encompass, and making it easier to budget and plan for your business’s energy expenses. Consolidated reporting may also give you a clearer, holistic view of your energy usage across all sites, empowering you to make informed decisions about your energy consumption and identify potential areas for efficiency improvements.

Single Negotiation Process: The negotiation process for contract renewals can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with multiple suppliers. But with contract alignment, you engage in one negotiation process for all your sites at the same time. This not only saves you valuable time but also ensures a consistent rate across all your locations, offering greater financial stability and predictability.

To complement this transformative feature, we offer MyUGP, a user-friendly online account management portal where you can access your statements, submit meter readings, and manage your account with ease. MyUGP is just another way we’re simplifying energy management, giving you control at your fingertips.

But the UGP experience doesn’t stop there. We’re a 5-star Trustpilot rated company, and the highest rated commercial energy company in the UK, reflecting our commitment to exceptional customer service. We know that every business is unique, which is why we assign a dedicated account manager to each of our customers. Your account manager is there to guide you, answer any questions, and ensure you’re getting the best service possible as well as handle all the paperwork on your behalf!

We’re also dedicated to caring for our planet and offer renewable energy solutions. For every new customer that joins us, we plant a tree in the Yorkshire Dales; a small but vital contribution to a greener future.

Lastly, we believe in delivering excellent value. We offer highly competitive pricing, providing you with top-quality service without the hefty price tag.

Join UGP today and experience a revolution in energy management. Our experienced account managers will manage the entire end-to-end process on your behalf to help you gain greater control, spend less time on energy administration and more time on what truly matters – running your business.

At United Gas & Power, we’re more than just an energy supplier; we’re your energy partner. Call us today on 0800 669 6697.

In recent years, the importance of sustainability has become a pressing issue for businesses across the globe. As we continue to see the devastating effects of climate change, it’s more important than ever for companies to take responsibility for their impact on the environment. One of the most effective ways businesses can make a positive impact on the planet is through tree planting initiatives.

Tree planting is an essential aspect of sustainable development. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, which helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Trees also help to prevent soil erosion, regulate water cycles, and support biodiversity. All of these benefits make tree planting a crucial component of environmental sustainability.

For businesses, tree planting initiatives offer a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while also engaging with local communities. By partnering with tree planting organisations, businesses can contribute to the restoration and protection of natural habitats while also fostering a sense of community engagement and responsibility.

At UGP, we’re proud to have planted over 3000 trees in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust since the start of our partnership with them 3 years ago. This achievement represents a significant milestone for us and the environment. Our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is an integral part of our business ethos. We believe that by taking proactive steps to reduce our environmental impact, we can help create a more sustainable future for everyone.

But sustainability isn’t just about planting trees. It’s about taking a holistic approach to environmental responsibility. For businesses, this means looking at all aspects of their operations to identify opportunities to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and minimise their carbon footprint. It’s about taking responsibility for the impact of your actions and working to create a more sustainable future for all.

Ultimately, sustainability is not just a moral imperative; it’s also a smart business decision. By prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility, businesses can build stronger relationships with customers, save costs, attract top talent, and differentiate themselves from their competitors. In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have.

UGP funds the planting of a tree in the Yorkshire Dales for each new customer. To talk to us about how we can help you to reach your sustainability goals, call us on 0800 669 6697.

2021 saw the unfortunate continuation of the covid pandemic which meant supplies were still interrupted and workforces struggled to operate as normal. However, many have also started to ‘learn to live’ with covid with a mass vaccination roll-out, so there is hope that 2022 may offer a gentle return to stability and the chance to focus on the future.

So what does 2022 have in store for a more environmentally sustainable future?

Plant Based Products Continue to Grow

Veganuary often brings about a surge in publicity for plant-based alternatives, new recipes and shifts in attitude towards food. However, 2022 is particularly significant and many fast-food franchises have made huge efforts to go plant based. Burger King has introduced the UK’s first plant-based alternative to chicken nuggets, McDonald’s has gone green with a plant-based burger and KFC have also launched a vegan version of their classic chicken burger. Energy Live News reported that by switching 10% of the world’s meat to plant-based food the ‘could be a saving of 176m tonnes of CO2 by 2030’ because Global consumption of meat reached 385 million tonnes in 2018, which translates to at least 1.7 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Energy Crisis

The story that dominated the latter half of 2021 and continues to remain current is the energy crisis and drastic calls for the Government to start stepping in and providing solutions for people and businesses. Many in the industry are urging the Government to start making changes. Octopus boss Greg Jackson has urged the government to ‘spread the cost of the energy crisis’, and that urgent action is required to halt “very high increases” on energy bills. Speaking on the Times Radio, Jackson said: “Unless action is taken, we will start to see those very, very high increases come through to the consumer market.” As global gas prices continue to rise leaving markets in trading turmoil, nearly one-third of Britons are afraid they will not be able to pay their bills this year. That’s according to a YouGov survey published in The Times which suggests 33% of people expected their fuel bills to become “unaffordable”.

A Drive in EV Cars

A new report from Zap-Map has unveiled less than 1% of electric vehicle (EV) drivers would go back to petrol or diesel cars. Driver satisfaction for EVs and plug-in hybrids was much higher than petrol or diesel cars, with the charged-up vehicles scoring 91/100, compared with just 74/100 for combustion vehicles. Transport Minister Trudy Harrison commented on the study: “These survey results show that drivers are becoming increasingly confident in making the switch to EVs and I hope this data encourages others to consider going electric as we work towards the UK’s ambitious net zero targets. “We’ve committed £2.5 billion to accelerate the rollout of zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure across the country, ensuring the transition is as simple as possible for motorists, as we take steps towards a greener transport future.” We are hoping this means that EV vehicles will become more available and accessible to the wider public so that more can make the switch.

A Rise in Solar Installations

Developing distributed solar capacity will be an objective for policy makers in many important markets around the world. China will continue its ongoing effort to increase dramatically the utilisation of distributed solar in its rural areas. Germany’s new coalition government has a target of installing 200 gigawatts of solar by 2030, which will rely heavily on residential solar resources. And distributed solar will remain the dominant model in Japan, Australia, Belgium, and Poland. In the coming year, policymakers and energy service providers around the world will also increasingly leverage the growing distributed solar fleet to support grid stability and provide flexibility. This means the US, for example, will continue to see distributed solar combined with storage and / or electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More Australian households will add storage to their rooftop solar systems to hedge against the rising cost of interconnection and lower solar electricity export tariffs and more countries will use distributed solar and energy storage to bring electricity services to disadvantaged communities.

Recycle or Re-use

Some of the bigger names in retail are making waves by implementing recycle schemes that reward. Boots are trialling a recycle scheme were you bring back empty bottles of products and you’re rewarded with points. Similarly H+M are allowing customers to drop off unwanted clothes or textiles from any brand and any condition in return for a store voucher. Don’t want to recycle? eBay have launched a campaign encouraging everyone to sell on any unwanted items instead of throwing them away or dumping them.

Renewable Energy Expands

Renewable energy was one of the big winners from COP26, including a ‘Breakthrough Agenda’ commitment to make clean power “the most affordable and reliable option” for all countries and to phase out coal. The IEA forecasts that the global renewable energy generation capacity will increase by 60% over the next 5 years. The UK is leading the way with its commitment to generate 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2035, including plans to ban coal by 2024. In its latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) round, the government has increased funding to £285 million.

 

Make The Switch Today!

Why not make 2022 the year you make your business more renewable? Speak to one of our team today on 0800 669 6697 or complete our Get A Quote form, it only takes a minute!

Whenever there’s a global summit, pledging to tackle the real issues of the world, I always take it with a pinch of salt. I don’t think I’m alone in my scepticism, given past government pledges and global agreements which have often fallen by the wayside, mere months down the road. This year’s COP26 seems to feel different. For the first time, climate is on the lips of people everywhere. From children to activists and, importantly, businesses.

As an Account Manager who had been talking to businesses about their energy and environmental impact for years, I have been following the news closely. Slowly, but surely, the tone of the conversations is beginning to shift. Cost savings are paramount, as always, but if not number 1, then the number 2 criteria for businesses now, is their impact on the environment. Be this from an altruistic origin, or whether, being seen as green and having those credentials will improve their business takings, either way is it a huge step forward. One which, I personally, am very happy to see.

One of the reasons I get satisfaction from my role here, is the real and evident action we’ve taken to do our bit. Not just pledges. We do not buy ANY electricity generated from fossil fuels. Each business we supply can be sure their electricity use is 100% renewable and that they have cut their carbon emissions significantly. We plant a tree for every new customer to further our positive impact and genuinely make a difference to businesses and their emissions every day.

Whilst this is very rewarding, it’s not everything we would hope a group of nation leaders to be able to achieve. Tree planting, by individuals or business, is simply not enough. The pledge to stop deforestation is incredibly positive, but there’s my scepticism again – who will be policing this?

A stop to logging is great if it does happen, but is there then a plan in place to re-wild the amazon and other depleted natural environments? We share this planet with miraculous creatures who are losing their home and food sources, purely because of human activities. Ignoring re-wilding is as bad as turning off the tap in a flood and not siphoning away any water.

There is hope though, a real glimmer of light, which might, this time, not be an illusion. Business and industrial energy use is the largest contributor to carbon emissions and climate change in the UK. One by one, businesses are choosing renewable and green energy sources for more reasons than price. The message is getting through, perhaps we have figures like Sir David Attenborough to thank? Either way at last it feels like real change is now taking place.

I believe that with further growth in renewable generation, more affordable green options and government incentives, there will be nothing in the way of a change to carbon free energy. The price of supply is no different, if not more competitive than brown energy. Green suppliers tend to have a good staff ethos, like UGP. Our staff clamour to go on our tree planting days to make their own difference in the landscape. This leads to an excellent, people-focussed service from a team with morals, not always easy to find in the energy market en mass.

Overall, cautious optimism is my current standing. The pledges made would create real change, not just in slowing the global temperature, but even the possibility of reversing that trend. Let’s hold onto hope of integrity and genuine commitment from these countries, to deliver what they have said. It may seem a long shot, but I’m hopeful. This is a beautiful and wondrous planet which we inhabit. Let’s work together to get it back to it’s former glory. Please?

Sally Rusbatch, UGP Account Manager.

 

The 5 Most Important Factors Large and Multi-Site Businesses Need to Consider When Choosing an Energy Supplier

Selecting a new energy supplier, particularly for large and multi-site businesses, is a key element in controlling a significant business spend category. Many factors including customer service, reputation, ease of switch, administration and additional added value services are all key considerations. In this blog we examine the five most important factors large and multi-site businesses should consider when choosing a new energy supplier.

1) Sustainability

In the years ahead, demonstrating your commitment to environmental sustainability across all areas of the business, from waste management to encouraging staff to cycle or walk to work, will be the one of the biggest areas of adjustment faced by UK organisations. Partnering with a 100% renewable energy supplier will form an essential part of demonstrating to your clients your green credentials. Alongside this the government’s future net zero targets will apply increasing pressure to organisations to take advantage of renewable energy suppliers, meaning they could be rewarded or penalised on their sustainable strategies.

2) Analysis

Understanding the past to inform the present and future. Nearly every business across the country has been through extreme changes in consumption over the past 2 years. From the severe consumption reductions of the first national lock-down to rapid increases following the post-pandemic boom analysing your daily and annual consumption pattern over this period will give business leaders real-life analysis of how and where consumption can be reduced in the future. In turn this will assist in lowering unit rates and overall spend alongside assisting your overall sustainable strategy.

 

Annual consumption graph Annual consumption graph, showing customers overall usage increase post Summer 2020 lockdown.

Average daily consumption graphs Average daily consumption graphs. Displaying variances between Summer and Winter usage, along with differences between weekday/ weekends.

 

3) Price/ Contract Structure

Understanding your aims as a business, growth plans, potential expansion, and attitudes to risk (and potential rewards) are all key factors in determining your optimum contract structure. Selecting the correct structure will give you control over your energy spend and through using a supplier who gives you direct market access ensure that you are able to mitigate cost increases in a rising market and take full advantage of falling bearish market conditions.

4) Administration

One hidden element when taking an energy contract is the cost of management and administration. This element should form a key component of the decision-making process, no more so than for multi-site operations. Addressing this has 2 main advantages. Aligning end dates with 1 single supplier will:

a) Give significant cost advantages when tendering. Business who are tendering significant volumes will see cost reductions compared to tendering multiple times throughout the year for smaller groups.

b) Reduce the time admin and finance departments spend processes invoices, dealing with multiple suppliers over different issues.

For example, Independent Vet Care, a key client of United Gas & Power has over 1000 sites and prior to becoming a client of UGP had different contract end dates, different bill dates and invoices being submitted randomly across the year so had become an administration nightmare. UGP submitted a full proposal that contained these key components;

You can read the full case study by clicking here. Therefore you should look for energy companies who are prepared to give you access to a portal that gives you all your information and dedicated account management.

5) Direct Supplier/ Live Market Access

This means that you have access to the organisations trading floor and expertise when it comes to energy trading. In this respect you’ll get advice and foresight on what the market is doing and can often lock in great energy deal for up to 5 years in advance.

Act Now

United Gas & Power work with many large and multi-site businesses and we have the experience and knowledge to handle even the most complex of requirements. If you want to discuss further please click here to request a quote or click here for more information.

Clean Air Day 2021: Educate to Protect Our Future Generations

Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events, and reaching millions more through the media. Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.  The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Poor air quality causes both heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. Therefore, this Clean Air Day the focus is on educating and informing in order to protect our future generations.

As a renewable energy provider we believe it is your responsibility to educate and inform your staff. Some ideas on how to achieve this are;

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, business travel and the commuting of employees to and from the office was a major source of air pollution for most businesses. While home-working has become the norm for many companies and business travel has somewhat ceased temporarily, there are still proactive actions companies can incorporate now and in any return-to-work plans.

Consider whether any of the following might be prevalent in your business:

For Clean Air Day itself you can encourage walking or cycling to work, flexible working, working from home or even car share. The official website has lots of resources including downloadable, printable pledge cards you can hand out to your employees and ask them to make a pledge such as walk more in an effort to help reduce air pollution!

One of the biggest changes you can make as a business is to switch to a renewable energy provider who is committed to helping reach net zero 2030.

Click here for a low cost no obligation renewable energy quote!

World Environment Day 2021: Why Now It’s Time to Act!

Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated every year on 5 June, engaging governments, businesses and citizens in an effort to address pressing environmental issues. In the last few years we have seen what a dramatic effect we have on the planet and by making changes we can have a positive impact. Businesses now have the opportunity to set an example to their employees and inspire them to make positive changes.

Did you know?

The theme of this years’ world environment day is #GenerationRestoration.

Ecosystem restoration means preventing, halting and reversing this damage – to go from exploiting nature to healing it. This World Environment Day will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global mission to revive billions of hectares, from forests to farmlands, from the top of mountains to the depth of the sea.

How Can Businesses Get Involved?

Above all, World Environment Day offers a global platform for inspiring positive change. It pushes for individuals to think about the way they consume; for businesses to develop greener models; for farmers and manufacturers to produce more sustainably; for governments to invest in repairing the environment; for educators to inspire students to take action; and for youth to build a greener future.

The single most important thing a business can do is switch to a renewable energy supplier.

Speak to one of our team today and find out what a difference switching to UGP can make.

Click here for an instant quote.

Climate Change: Yes, it’s Still a ‘Thing’

Thirty years ago, the potentially disruptive impact of heat-trapping emissions from burning fossil fuels and rain forests became front-page news. It had taken a century of accumulating science, and a big shift in perceptions, for that to happen. However, even today many are fighting for climate change to get the attention it so desperately needs.

In the 1990’s The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produced it’s First Assessment Report. It concluded that temperatures had risen by 0.3-0.6C over that last century, that humanity’s emissions are adding to the atmosphere’s natural complement of greenhouse gases, and that the addition would be expected to result in warming. That year there was severe drought and heat in the United States and vast fires in the Amazon rain forest and in Yellowstone National Park. The outline of a solution had been forged just one year earlier as the world’s nations agreed on the Montreal Protocol, which set steps to eliminate certain synthetic compounds imperilling the atmosphere’s protective ozone layer.

In recent years, thanks to pioneering work by organisations like Greenpeace, Extinction Rebellion, World Wildlife Fund and many more climate change has hit the headlines in a big way, from viral campaigns to protests, action is being taken to give the world a voice. In addition, figures like David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have delivered powerful speeches and impressive, emotive documentaries to hopefully make everyone think carefully about how their actions effect the climate we live in.

Evidence that irreversible changes in Earth’s climate systems means we are in a state of planetary emergency, leading climate scientists warn. A cascade of tipping points could amount to a global tipping point, where multiple earth systems march past the point of no return. Such a collapse of Earth’s systems could lead to “hothouse earth” conditions with a global temperature rise of 9 degrees F (5 degrees C), sea levels rising 20 to 30 feet, the complete loss of the world’s coral reefs and the Amazon forest, and with large parts of the planet uninhabitable.

For example, the slow collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet appears to be in progress. The latest data shows that the same thing might be happening to part of the East Antarctic ice sheet, says Lenton, a climate scientist at University of Exeter in Southwest England. If both were to melt, then sea levels could rise by 21 feet (7 meters) over the next few hundred years. Therefore, countries only have only a limited time in which to act if the world is to stave off the worst effects of climate change.

Strangely enough the covid pandemic may have helped climate change, the coronavirus pandemic has shaken our sense of invulnerability and reminded us that it is possible for our world to be upended in ways we cannot control. It has also delivered the most significant economic shock since the Great Depression. In response, governments are stepping forward with stimulus packages designed to reboot their economies. Plans have now been unveiled to ‘build back greener’ paving the way to help stop climate change.

The Government in the UK has announced that businesses are set to benefit from £134 million investment, in order to build back green. The concept of ‘build back green’ is one that many companies and even individuals are happy to back. Since the announcement over 1,069 ground-breaking clean growth projects have requested funding. This clearly demonstrates that the message is sinking in and many want to do their bit to help save the planet.

UGP believe that the role businesses have to play in protecting our planet for future generations is fundamental and the single, most impactful change that you can make as a business is to switch your energy contract to a renewable energy supplier. Contact us today on 0844 318 0044 or complete our 3 second form by clicking here and learn how by making this simple switch you are helping to save the planet.