As businesses look for greater control over rising energy costs and increased resilience, technologies such as onsite solar, battery storage and dynamic energy purchasing are becoming increasingly important. We caught up with Jack Peck, Head of Sales for UK & Ireland at Wattstor, to discuss the key trends shaping the energy management sector, why behind-the-meter battery storage is gaining momentum, and how organisations can reduce both commodity and non-commodity electricity costs while accelerating their sustainability goals…
Tell us about your company, products and services.
Wattstor is a next generation energy company supplying commercial and industrial customers with renewable electricity. We supply businesses with 100% of their site demand through our Price Protect electricity tariff and a fully funded onsite renewable energy system. Price Protect provides a price cap to guard against price spikes, whilst also tracking wholesale prices downwards, allowing businesses to pay less when wholesale prices are cheap, whilst being protected by the cap if prices increase.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2026?
An increase in dynamic supply contracts coupled with onsite renewable generation replacing traditional fixed or ‘flex’ products. Businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the premiums that utilities and brokers charge to give businesses price certainty through traditional products and services.
What have been the biggest challenges the Energy Management industry has faced over the past 12 months?
Getting businesses and brokers to understand what they can do to reduce electricity costs on both the commodity and non-commodity sides of a bill. On the non-commodity side, the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) costs alone have increased over 65% this year, so it is key to understand what businesses can do to limit their exposure. On the commodity side, we have seen wholesale market prices climb again as a result of the Iran war.
And what have been the biggest opportunities?
Onsite renewable energy, particularly solar and battery storage, where prices continue to fall, creating cheap, reliable clean power locally, whilst shielding businesses from these ever increasing costs.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this year?
Behind the meter battery storage. The business case for installing batteries even without solar is positive for many sites now. This was unthinkable even a few years ago. With onsite generation, the case is even better.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Energy Management sector?
That around 80% of the volume of commercial electricity in the UK is placed through TPI / Brokers
What is the biggest priority for the Energy Management industry in 2026?
Enabling businesses to pay less for their electricity by maximising the potential of onsite renewables and reducing exposure to ever increasing non-commodity costs.
You go to the bar at the Energy Management Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?
A cold beer in this heat, please!
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
Working with an array of different British businesses. Working with their teams to understand their energy needs now and in the future and creating best fit renewable energy systems that can adapt with increasing electrification and business growth.
Discover more at https://wattstor.com.
