UK manufacturers have received a warning call to develop a long-term energy roadmap, and to avoid assumptions that the current energy crisis is a one-off.

The urgent message comes from specialist building analytics CIM, following news that rising energy costs are threatening to shut down production industries in the UK.

Paul Walsh, CIM Managing Director, EMEA, said, “In our view, it’s important to prioritise energy conservation measures in the short-term whilst developing a long-term sustainability strategy.

“The route forward for manufacturers is to optimise the energy intensive equipment they already have onsite by applying intelligence to identify operational inefficiencies.

“Not only will this detail what is being consumed, but also which areas of a site are inefficient and can be identified for improvement.”

Chemicals, paper and steel are just three of the many energy-intensive industries that are grappling with spiralling costs. Other affected and vulnerable sectors include life sciences, and hi-tech manufacturing.

“The life sciences and hi-tech sectors are big energy users, given their highly-controlled validated areas, such as clean rooms and temperature-controlled spaces,” said Mr. Walsh. “These spaces can’t just be turned down or turned off to save energy.”

Mr. Walsh encouraged manufacturers to target improvements in energy efficiency. “Ultimately, as sharp as this spike will feel now, an improvement in energy efficiency over the next four to five years is the only sure-fire way manufacturers can futureproof themselves against any further energy crisis.”