Case Study: Powering Performance for a Leading Arts School, Saving over £450k

11 Mar

**A Long-term, trusted relationship - delivering real value.**

"Outsourced Utilities has given us confidence and clarity in how we manage energy. From securing great rates to helping us explore greener options, they’ve proven themselves an essential partner over many years."

Client Overview

A prestigious private performing arts school with multiple buildings including performance spaces, studios, classrooms, and student accommodation. With an annual energy spend of just under £1 million, the school required expert support to manage its growing costs and explore energy-saving opportunities across its high-usage facilities.

The Challenge

Running an energy-intensive campus with specialist lighting, heating, and sound systems led to substantial energy bills. The school needed to control costs, ensure billing accuracy, resolve ongoing supplier issues, and understand how to reduce usage—all without disrupting daily operations or impacting the student experience.

Our Solution

We became the school’s outsourced energy department, providing a fully managed service to drive savings and simplify energy management over a long-term partnership.

Key services included:

Fixed-Term Procurement: Securing long-term contracts at favourable rates, avoiding market volatility and ensuring budget stability
Bill Validation: Ongoing review of all bills to catch errors and ensure suppliers were invoicing correctly
Supplier Query Management: Handling all billing issues and queries directly with suppliers, removing a significant administrative burden from the finance team
Reduction Consultancy: Identifying potential efficiency gains by assessing the viability of projects such as solar installations and LED lighting upgrades

The Results

£450,000+ savings secured against rising wholesale energy prices through strategic fixed procurement
Hours of operational time saved each week by removing supplier admin from the finance department
Accurate billing ensured through consistent validation
Energy reduction opportunities uncovered to support future sustainability goals, including practical assessments of solar PV and LED upgrades
Long-term partnership delivering consistent value and trusted, proactive support

Client Quote

"Outsourced Utilities has given us confidence and clarity in how we manage energy. From securing great rates to helping us explore greener options, they’ve proven themselves an essential partner over many years." School Bursar.