Care England news release
Care England is concerned about energy renewal costs faced by
care providers since the War in Ukraine and following feedback
from our hugely successful energy webinars and our subsequent
formal challenge into OFGEM around unduly onerous energy supplier
practises, Care England wants to support care providers to secure
the best value for money possible for Gas and Electricity.
As energy costs increased, impacting the sector's financial
stability, Care England is mindful of another volatile year
ahead, as some energy suppliers remain unreasonable with prices
and deals available, seek excessive upfront deposits, and charge
hefty risk premiums, coupled with a low appetite to offer
competitive deals. The uncertainty around any extension of
the government's Energy Relief Scheme makes it increasingly
challenging for care providers to establish energy solutions and
stay ahead of the game.
To keep 2023 renewal costs sustainable, accessing the best
possible advice will again be key, and to maximise energy
supplier interest and offers are keenly priced whilst minimising
excessive risk premiums. Care England intends to offer care
providers the opportunity to combine energy volumes, to maximise
significant economies of scale and is issuing
an Exclusive Care England bulk tender for 2023-24
Gas and Electricity 2023 renewals, tendered through
not-for-profit consultancy Box Power, to all energy suppliers in
January 2023.
Using Box Power data, Care England has been feeding the DHSC,
BEIS, the CQC, iESE (CareCubed) and Local Authorities with
critical energy consumption data built on a model of 55,000 care
home beds in England, to ensure they are aware of the real-time
impact of energy costs for the sector and believes a sector-wide
energy tender for all care providers will help to gather not only
the best possible commercial arrangements for participants but to
ensure BEIS receives the most relevant market intelligence and
data, to help ensure that any ongoing support has the necessary
impact on the sector.
It is imperative, especially for the care sector that energy
options are identified and analysed appropriately in anticipation
of the optimum February to April renewal window, to secure the
best possible energy contracts that can be offered to
participants regardless of when they renew their energy in
2023.
At this stage, we are asking for expressions of interest, no
later than 16th December
22, to participate in the energy tender expected
which will be facilitated in January 2023. This will enable
completed tender results to be analysed and completed for each
care provider/group, to ensure they can make an informed decision
and benefit from the lowest possible price for energy.
Further details of how the Tender will work, along with
FAQs will follow in late December once we understand the total
UK-wide volumes.
Who qualifies? Any care
provider (members/non-members) can qualify to
participate and benefit from the bulk tender by choosing one of
the 3 options available once they have expressed their interest:
- Join our Healthcare Flexible gas & electricity baskets to
access wholesale prices and trading advice.
- Join our full Exclusive bulk tender process and be guided to
the best supplier.
- For single Care Home operators, access to commission-free
advice and pricing options.
How do I apply? If you would like to be
included in this exclusive tender and benefit from the crucial
advice and guidance, at this stage please just register your
interest by clicking the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
LINK and provide; contact information,
bed/capacity details, the percentage of your Gas and Electricity
due, and renewal dates and you will be contacted with the next
steps to confirm your participation.
Who is Box Power CIC? Box is a
philanthropic not-for-profit consultancy that has donated
£800,000 to charity in the last year. They have just been awarded
(30th Nov) at the TELCA’s the top award in their
industry for making a difference. They are also the most
experienced in our care home sector and already procure and
manage the energy cost and usage needs for the very largest
operators. Click here to review the
accuracy of their 2022 predictions/advice, and what their clients think of
them.
