Getting ahead of the energy challenge

The European energy marketplace is undergoing a massive blow. Short-term prices of gas on the European market were five times higher during the first quarter of 2022 than they were last year. Long-term dynamics and present events such as adjustments in consumer and #investor attitude, #climate policy, the post-COVID-19 increase in global consumption, and, most lately, the conflict in Ukraine, are all pushing up prices.

These #remarkable rises are having a significant influence on the cost of production in energy-intensive businesses, which have climbed by more than 45% in some cases. The scenario is likely to continue for some time. For a minimum, in the very next 3 years, futures trading is pricing #European gas at double or 3 times what it was in 2021. Corporations in these industries have a pressing need to respond. They must assure the profitability of their firms today and discover steps to preserve or increase their competitiveness and profitability.

In this climate, a novel approach to energy procurement and a dramatic focus on energy efficiency and decarbonisation are two short-term initiatives that might provide significant value for huge energy users. According to our research, organisations that make the most aggressive and rapid actions in both areas might realise sustained margin improvements of up to 10% while decreasing their #co2 #emissions by 40 percentage points or more.

Stability of energy cost

Energy is commonly purchased in advance by large users to protect against price fluctuation. Exceptional market dynamics have provided a chance to think in innovative ways as enterprises reach the end of their present state.

Hedges for energy production are currently estimated to be higher than renewable-energy initiatives' Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). As a result, fulfilling some of a farm's energy needs through actual control of renewable assets with renewable providers can reduce short- and medium-term energy bills while enhancing long-term pricing consistency.

Efficiencies in energy use and rapid emission reductions

The most substantial mid- to long-term possibility of reducing high energy prices comes from strategies currently in place by energy-intensive consumers. European businesses have developed #decarbonisation initiatives that typically target a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption over the following decade. Implementing a large portion of those adjustments in two to three years would not only entirely alleviate the currently anticipated price increases but would also provide a strategic edge with a profit gain of several per cent growth.

Conclusion

Industrial companies will require ambitious timelines and sophisticated project delivery skills to realise the benefits of new technology in the present energy challenge. They must expedite capital approval processes and reallocate resources, putting engineering and procurement capabilities for the most impactful #energy-efficiency projects first. They'll also need to use best-in-class design and building methods, such as highly formalised configuration, off-site construction whenever feasible, and on-site operation parallel processing. These and other methods are already being used by some manufacturing industries to lower project timelines by almost 45%.

The recent energy price spike has put #Europe's #enterprises to the challenge. For the finest of companies, today's calamity may serve as a spur for change that safeguards their short-term profits while accelerating their progress toward a #carbon-free society.