National energy efficiency initiative supports a million small businesses as energy costs squeezed by global conflict
Almost a million small businesses on UK high streets have turned to a national energy efficiency programme to help manage rising energy costs, as global conflicts continue to drive volatility in energy markets.
The Powering the High Street initiative, a partnership between EDF and Enterprise Nation, provides independent retailers and small firms with practical guidance on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and making better use of their premises, all at no cost.
The programme offers best practice advice to help retailers strengthen their presence on the high street while helping owners to monitor their energy usage, adopt cost-effective solutions, and make informed choices about sustainable energy tariffs to keep operating costs as low as possible.
Since launching in May last year, Powering the High Street has become a key platform for businesses looking to actively manage energy expenses and remain competitive.
According to research from the British Chambers of Commerce, 73% of small businesses report energy costs as their primary concern, with average bills increasing by 424% compared to 2021.
Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF UK, said: "While we cannot control international energy prices, we can help small businesses become more energy efficient. Since the initiative began, Powering the High Street has equipped businesses with practical strategies to reduce consumption, optimise costs and build resilience, which is now more important than ever.”
By focusing on practical energy management, the initiative also supports wider sustainability goals. This is critical for independent firms looking to build long term business performance and responsible operations.
Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, said: “The fact that just under one million small businesses across the UK stepped forward to explore sustainable energy solutions as part of this initiative, shows how important effective energy management has become in terms of cost control.
“Many small businesses face the dual challenge of unpredictable wholesale price fluctuations and heightened operational costs as part of the rising ‘costs stack.’ Our priority is equipping small businesses with the tools and insights needed to thrive despite market uncertainties.
“By partnering with EDF Small Business, we are enabling a more sustainable high street where small firms can continue to innovate and grow without being overwhelmed by rising energy expenses.”
The Powering the High Street initiative has successfully highlighted that financial resilience and sustainability go hand in hand. As more small businesses take control of their energy outcomes, Enterprise Nation and EDF remain committed to helping customers succeed in an ever-changing economic landscape are set to extend the scheme to a broader business base with the launch of Powering Local Businesses initiative.
For more information about the initiative and to explore how your business can benefit from high street sustainable energy practices, please visit Enterprise Nation’s website at https://www.enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses/.
About EDF
EDF is driving the transition towards An Electric Britain – a secure, affordable, low-carbon future for everyone. As Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, we are investing more than £100 million weekly in Britain’s electricity infrastructure. We supply millions of customers with electricity and help homes and businesses switch to electricity for heating, transport and industrial processes.
We operate five nuclear power stations and more than 35 onshore wind farms and three offshore wind farms. Since 2009, EDF has invested almost £9 billion in the nuclear fleet to improve reliability and extend station lifetimes. The five generating stations currently supply about 12% of the UK’s electricity demand.
EDF is building the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C. We are a minority investor (12.5%) in and major supplier to a replica plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes. EDF Group companies Framatome and Arabelle Solutions have a presence in the UK and manufacture critical equipment such as reactor pressure vessels and turbines.
EDF is enabling its 5 million customers, both in business and at home, to choose electric solutions that save cash and carbon, whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing solar panels or a heat pump. In 2025, EDF’s Customers business was ranked as one of the Sunday Times’s Best Place to Work.
It is also one of the UK’s leading developers of renewable energy through EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. We have more than 2GW of renewable generation in operation and over 10GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.
We are one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest technical service providers.
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