Future-proofing energy in UK manufacturing
Stuart Smith, manufacturing segment lead at RenEnergy, shares his thoughts on why solar PV is more than a sustainability win.
Commercial energy certainty is no longer a nice-to-have
Over the past few years, UK manufacturers have experienced a triple threat: surging energy prices, unreliable grid performance and rising regulatory pressure to decarbonise. These dynamics aren’t just inconvenient - they threaten productivity, profitability and long-term competitiveness. At RenEnergy, we work with manufacturers who are determined to take back control. From food processors and FMCG leaders, to advanced manufacturers and logistics firms, our clients share a common goal: energy certainty for the next 25 years.
The stakes for manufacturing are only rising
The sector’s energy demands are high, often round-the-clock and increasingly sophisticated. Refrigeration, robotics, automation, clean rooms and rapid EV fleet expansion all place immense pressure on traditional energy infrastructure. If you're still fully exposed to volatile grid pricing or relying on ageing infrastructure, you're taking on more risk than you should. Just one price spike or grid failure can set operations back significantly.
The strategic value of solar + storage
RenEnergy delivers engineered, behind-the-meter energy solutions that include:
Industry-leading solar carports
Solar PV (roof-mounted, ground-mounted)
Battery energy storage – not just for backup, but for energy arbitrage and demand management
EV charging infrastructure
Consulting, finance and full asset management
We help manufacturers move beyond simple compliance and short-term savings. Instead, we engineer intelligent systems that enable businesses to:
Generate clean energy onsite
Store it for use during peak tariff and/or high usage periods
Maximise self-consumption and reduce grid exposure
Track and forecast cost over 25 years with LCOE
The Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE): predictable, stable, and smart
Let’s break down the numbers. The cost of buying electricity from the UK grid is currently 25p/kWh or more and it's only getting more volatile. But a well-engineered solar + storage solution from RenEnergy has a levelised cost of energy of just 3–7p/kWh over a 25-year lifetime. LCOE (Levelised Cost of Energy) is the total lifetime cost of your energy taking the full project into account, from build to end of life. Solar offers stable, predictable costs.
That’s up to 80% savings per kWh over time, with predictability your finance director will love.
A solar strategy with RenEnergy doesn’t just pay for itself, it protects you from the price hikes to come.
Why your solar partner matters
A system is only as good as the team behind it. RenEnergy brings:
Nearly two decades of experience in commercial solar
Proven success across varied sectors such as manufacturing, agri-processing and logistics
Superior engineering for high yield and resilience
Turnkey EPC + asset management, with full lifecycle support
And as part of the Aggreko group, our clients also benefit from financial stability and international innovation at scale.
“We don’t install panels. We deliver decades of performance and cost protection.” – Stuart Smith, Sales Manager, Manufacturing Segment Lead, RenEnergy
Ready to reduce your energy risk?
RenEnergy is already powering forward-thinking manufacturing sites across the UK. From rooftop solar to energy arbitrage strategies, we tailor every solution for measurable long-term value. Let’s design your site-specific solar solution and show you your tailored LCOE. Let’s talk!
About Stuart
Stuart Smith leads RenEnergy’s manufacturing segment in the UK, working closely with industrial clients to future-proof their operations with bespoke solar and energy storage solutions. With a strong background in commercial energy strategy and project delivery, Stuart understands the pressures manufacturers face, from rising energy costs and carbon reporting, to maintaining uptime and operational efficiency. His expertise lies in translating complex load profiles into clear, bankable solar solutions, unlocking both financial and environmental gains for clients who demand reliability without compromise.