Matt Small, director of T150 Energy, reveals his plans to pass energy savings onto clients in the education sector

Matt Small

An energy broker is offering education estate operators the chance to recoup some of their gas and electricity costs as part of an innovative new ‘payback’ scheme.

Matt Small, director of T150 Energy, has revealed plans to launch the initiative, providing nurseries, schools, and other education clients with between 0.2-3.5% of their energy savings back.

Matt explains: “Schools could receive between 0.2%-3.5% of their annual gas and electricity costs, depending on a number of factors.

“Now, I appreciate that 0.2% as a minimum does not sound like a lot. However, if you consider the average educational establishment may use 100,000 kWh – and I think this is conservative – per year on electricity alone; collectively we could put a lot of money back into the industry.

“For example, there were 27,000 nurseries registered with Ofsted as of 31 August 2022. Based on the average usage of 100,000 kWh per year, this gives an average use of electricity alone of 1,670,000,000 kWh per year.

“If we could get even 1% of this number onto our payback scheme this could be between £17,000-£244,237.50 going back into UK nurseries on a yearly basis; and that’s just the electricity and just for nurseries. Spread this across the whole of the education estate – around 32,163 schools – and the figure could be huge.

“And, based on the above figures, gas could put between £17,000-£146,542.5 in payback as well.

“And, if clients have charitable status, the payback amount could be given as a charitable donation and would, therefore, not be taxable. It’s a win-win situation!”

Staffordshire-based T150 Energy launched in 2019, shortly before the Coronavirus outbreak, and works across a number of sectors, from care homes and educational institutions to hospitality and manufacturing businesses.

Coming from a background in telecoms and a career in the Armed Forces, Matt brokers energy deals between businesses and some of the top energy providers – including British Gas, Opus Energy, YGP, engie, Dual Energy, npower, Scottish Gas, SSE, and Gazprom.

And, with energy prices continuing to soar, and the education sector feeling the pinch, he is keen to give something back.

Matt said: “I work with partners who bring me business and I pay them commission for bringing me their clients, so I thought why don’t I do the same for the education sector?

“The following day I looked at a few figures and started doing the maths.

“My goal for this year is to put back £1m to businesses and the only way I can do this is by being put in front of the right people.

“I want to start giving back more than hopefully savings on their existing rates – I want to give them part of the money we make as a business.

“I am well aware of how woefully underfunded these sectors are and as I work with operators I really wanted to give something back.

“I want people to want to work with me because, 1. I’m great to work with, and 2. Because, where possible, I will give them something back.”

For more information on the payback scheme, go to www.paybackscheme.co.uk