Don’t waste energy on flawed arguments

Not all news is bad. Sometimes it’s just badly reported. Especially when it comes to energy efficiency.

Take the recent example of some UK companies moaning and groaning about soaring energy bills despite having implemented extensive energy-saving measures.

Take the media comment from the industrial giant Tata Steel for example: “I’ve invested £7m and reduced the [energy] bill by £3m,” said divisional boss Mark Broxholme. “I have just been told the bill is going up by £2.5m next year. I’ve spent £7m to stand still.”

Here’s a multiple-choice question for you; has Mr Broxholme’s bill gone up as a result of (a) soaring energy costs out of his control or (b) the energy savings measures that he introduced?

Hint: the answer is not (b).

“The logic of such stories is deeply flawed,” says Barry Lynham, Group Director of Strategy and Communication for Knauf Insulation. “Of course Tata’s energy bill would have been even higher if it hadn’t implemented energy saving measures.

“If you buy an economic car, for example, you’re grateful for the fuel savings you make. If fuel prices go up you’re even more thankful because you’re not paying even more than you did before.”

However, industrial dilemmas like Tata’s demonstrate exactly why energy efficiency is so important, says Lynham. “We’ve absolutely no control over the cost of energy. But we do have the ability to unlock the savings of energy efficiency. It’s time we focused on what we can influence, not what we can’t. It’s time to save energy.”

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