How long will the Netherlands’ gas reserves last? And are we heading for an energy crisis? Questions such as these are currently causing great concern among businesses. Reichelt Elektronik surveyed more than 1,000 companies across Europe on this topic – 250 of which were in the Netherlands.
How does the current situation regarding energy supply affect profitability? 71 per cent of all companies surveyed say that rising energy prices are already having a negative impact on their profitability. Only 10 per cent are not affected by rising prices. Interestingly, large companies also say they are more affected by rising energy costs than small and medium-sized enterprises. About two-thirds of respondents (67 per cent) assume that the price rise will have a long-term negative impact on their business if the trend continues. 38 per cent expect energy costs to rise sharply over the next three years. 37 per cent expect a more moderate increase. In addition, 89 per cent of respondents also expect a drastic increase in energy costs in the short term.
What can companies do?
Companies, like individuals, have little leeway to influence prices. Companies therefore need to take matters into their own hands. They must seek individual solutions. Just under half (40 per cent) of companies already use their own generated energy, for example. For example, through solar panels on company premises. In addition, 35 per cent have negotiated special conditions in their contracts with oil, gas or electricity suppliers.
Energy saving measures
The following measures have already been taken most often in companies:
-Replacing all light sources with LEDs: 85 per cent
-Improving building insulation: 71%
-Increasing employees' awareness of energy saving: 62%
-Automatisation of lighting: 61%
Overcoming obstacles
Based on this list, it is clear that most companies have already addressed the concrete and easy-to-implement tasks. For example, 85 per cent have already taken measures to replace light sources with energy-saving LEDs. And more than half of the companies (56%) consider their transition in this area completed. For other measures, implementation is more complicated. Therefore, these have not yet found general acceptance among companies. Take, for example, the replacement of old machines with new, more efficient ones.
Payback period
The biggest hurdle for companies is that the payback period is too long or not attractive enough (31%). The motivation to implement energy savings is therefore low. The second biggest obstacle is that energy saving is a complex matter (30%). It is difficult for them to assess the benefits of individual measures and there is a lack of easily accessible application examples. What are the right and most efficient measures? 29% of respondents are at a loss when it comes to this question.
Drastic changes
"Companies are at a crucial point today," concludes Holger Engelbrecht, product manager Tools & Lighting at reichelt elektronik. "The first steps towards more energy-efficient operations have already been taken. Now the next challenges lie ahead. Which require companies to make bigger investments and more radical changes in their energy management. At the same time, we can see the current situation as a wake-up call. Sooner or later, we will have to manage our energy resources more efficiently."
Photo by Gerd Altmann, via Pixabay
