British pubs are about to get a £2,500 annual energy windfall

The UK government is rolling out a free digital energy-saving tool that could deliver average annual savings of nearly £2,500 on energy bills for small and medium-sized pubs, restaurants, and hotels.

The initiative, announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, extends a successful 12-month trial that helped 90 hospitality businesses slash their energy costs through simple behavioural changes and real-time monitoring.

Now, more than 525 additional businesses across England will gain access to the tool, which was developed by Zero Carbon Services with £350,000 in government funding.

The digital platform provides tailored energy-saving plans, focusing on high-waste areas common in hospitality venues – such as extraction systems, fridges, ovens, and lighting. It delivers real-time alerts to curb unnecessary electricity use, particularly during off-peak hours.

Promising trial

Trial participants saw impressive results. One pub in Bromley reduced overall energy usage by 26%, saving £48 per week, while a smaller pub in Caterham, Surrey, cut overnight consumption by 66%, equating to more than £1,500 in yearly savings.

On average, the 90 trial businesses trimmed nearly £2,500 from their annual energy bills, a figure the government says participants can expect under the expanded rollout.

” Saving around £2,000 a year is the equivalent of the profit from selling thousands of pints, or the breathing space that protects hard-won margins during quieter months,” said Mark Chapman, CEO of Zero Carbon Services.

“We’re showing that climate action doesn’t have to be a trade-off. When energy is managed better, businesses become more efficient, more resilient and better placed to invest back into their teams, their venues and their future.”

The hospitality sector has faced relentless pressure from high energy costs in recent years, compounded by other rising expenses like labour and supplies.

While household energy bills have seen fluctuations, with the Ofgem price cap set to decrease in April 2026, many small businesses continue to grapple with volatile commercial rates and limited access to sophisticated energy management tools.

Applications are now open via the Zero Carbon Services website.

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