Citrus Energy A unique perspective A wholly owned subsidiary of Cunninghame Housing Association Ltd
Who are Citrus Energy Wholly owned social enterprise subsidiary of Cunninghame Housing Association Ltd. Uniquely impartial providing home and business energy users with independent advice to source the best energy deals from ALL UK suppliers! Creating employment. Dealing with all energy related problems on behalf of many partners, including metering and void issues.
Overview of Citrus services Commercial service -provide full energy consultancy and procurement service for ALL businesses or fellow RSLs, SMEs and charities transparently presenting prices. Always more cost effective than businesses using commercial brokers and than businesses/rsls going directly to suppliers for prices. Domestic Energy Switching Phone based independent best advice helping any domestic energy users to source the best energy deal from the whole UK energy market- becoming their voice with their supplier on an ongoing basis. Lemon Aid - Alleviating fuel poverty and helping those most in need to deal with energy issues; metering issues, grant sourcing- Eco WHD etc, debt reduction, self disconnections, meter changes prepay to credit, advocate on billing issues, refer to ethical partners cross referring services. Void service dealing with all energy related issues within 3 hours and ensuring new tenants receive the BEST deal available to them on average increasing rental gain for landlords by 2 days and reducing time spent dealing with suppliers.
Social Enterprise with Charitable Parent Sustainable solution social enterprise rather than charity less restraint on attaining income. Profits redistributed within the communities we work within, including partnerships with fellow RSL s. Citrus has its own board which requires the service to be transparent and accountable, and to operate with the right social values. Subsidiary of RSL governance processes and procedures are the same as the parent (SHR), we adhere to same principals and ethics. Unique approach to the commercial marketplace, the right ethics saving businesses money.
How is Citrus funded We have separate funding streams for our domestic services and our commercial services. Domestic Lemon Aid funded by The Scottish Government s People & Communities Fund and other local funders. Commercial service attains income to sustain domestic services for the future. Projected 2016/2017 cash surplus self sustainable.
How has Citrus expanded and grown Unique service service led, does make a profit, but no profiteering. No cold calling for domestic services. Partnership working trusted partnerships, sharing specialisms. We don t hide the answers, we share them! Recruitment: have recruited 35 unemployed people to trainee and full-time staff positions (Domestic and Commercial). Commercial acumen - staff experience. Adaptable to change. REPUTATION / RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND TRUST
Benefits to users We will always find an individual tenant the best energy deal for their needs, based on; cost, heating system, metering, benefit entitlement, available initiatives we will only switch if it benefits them, but will deal with any issues first and foremost. Our impartiality and transparent approach will provide a unique comprehensive service at all times. Our staff know what it is like to struggle and can sincerely empathise with service users of our domestic energy services. Energy Efficiency funding sourced 2014/15-267498 Arrears Reduction grants sourced 2014/15-171801
Benefits to users SROI 1 : 5.71 for every 1 invested in Citrus from an independent social return on investment carried out we create 5.71 of impact Last year awarded the Social Enterprise Scotland Prove It Social Impact award
Benefits to users cont d Our void service is quicker than preferred supplier/default supplier agreements and we ensure the new tenant has the choice of the full domestic market ensuring they get the best deal for them and their circumstances this saves the new tenant on average 170 per annum. During our void service there are no meter changes therefore no issues with Gas safety checks etc, the new tenant chooses whether or not they would like a new supplier and the meter type they would ideally like to have. Credit meters are far cheaper than prepayment meters and we help people to move from prepayment to credit, helping them set up budgeting schemes such as fuel direct (DWP).
Benefits to users cont d Transparent approach to commercial energy procurement and consultancy we are paid a fee direct from suppliers which averages 20% of common commercial brokers fees. Our fees are shared with fellow RSLs by agreement and any profit attained is re-distributed within our domestic services and our parent CHA (sustainability). We work within the fixed market providing certainty of prices and strength of energy suppliers. Our validation, energy management and contract and bill management services are free to use.
The Future of Energy Smart Meters we are apprehensive Will only make a difference if individuals act on the data? they require behavioural change? Will energy suppliers pass on supposed savings generated from certainty of consumption and wholesale procurement? Signal issues could create further problems in rural areas Majority of smart meters will have the ability to switch between credit meter and prepayment meter, suppliers will control this, a switch from credit to prepayment will lead to higher costs for the consumer? Will those who don t have digital availability or the skills appropriate be dis-advantaged?
The Future of Energy Renewables Growth in local energy companies -the principal is great but will they be able to counteract the energy suppliers margin and trade effectively on wholesale markets or will size matter? District Heating and Community led heating initiatives will help as long as there is investment? We are an energy rich country we should be able to utilise ALL the energy produced, there should be less restraint imposed by the UK Government
Citrus the next 5 years Sustainable 2016/17 Grow the team Establish more partnerships/relationships with like minded organisations Add to our current services Champion fuel poverty issues and inequality within the energy market, both domestic and commercial.
Thanks for listening More than just Energy Advice Mission: To provide ethical and trustworthy energy advice to both domestic and commercial energy users, whilst helping create sustainable employment.