01 Sep 2025
As we venture into the second half of 2025, a recent RBS business survey has highlighted that Scottish businesses are increasing their focus on expanding their offerings.
ScottishPower is here to help small businesses benefit from the evolving energy market, and to guide business leaders through the energy landscape. Here are the top 5 trends that will shape the energy sector for SMEs in the second half of the year – along with insight from ScottishPower on how to unlock innovations and manage energy costs effectively.
1. Emerging technology
Understanding energy management is crucial for small businesses, so ScottishPower is encouraging business owners to leverage the educational resources and guides available, to keep up with the latest changes in the energy sector.
When business leaders embrace and educate themselves, and their teams, on the green technology solutions available to them, they can make informed decisions that drive efficiency and sustainability. ScottishPower has teamed up with experts, including The Carbon Trust, to provide comprehensive guides that can help businesses go greener and embrace new technologies. Asking the right questions about your current energy practices can help identify opportunities for improvement.
2. Small energy-saving wins with immediate impact
Sometimes, the most significant transformations start with small steps. Implementing minor changes in daily operations can lead to substantial energy savings and environmental benefits.
Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with LED lighting, saving up to 75% on lighting costs**. Programmable thermostats can be used to automatically adjust temperature settings during non-business hours, and sealing any air leaks around doors and windows can help you save on heating costs. As we look ahead to autumn, reducing heating temperatures by just 1°C can cut fuel consumption by 8%.
Additional resources and useful energy-saving tips can be found on ScottishPower’s website at scottishpower.co.uk/small-business/saving-energy
3. Site changes: the switch to electric vehicles
If you have a car park in a suitable location, ScottishPower can help you earn extra revenue by installing fully funded electric vehicle public charge points on your premises. ScottishPower will install, manage, and maintain the chargers, and participating businesses will be helping to build a network of fast public charge points while boosting their green credentials.
The electric vehicle revolution is in full swing, with a 28% increase in the installation of charge points compared to last year^, and small businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of this trend in the second half of 2025.
From fast, rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, ScottishPower’s in-house experts can help businesses build bespoke solutions to suit their needs. This not only positions a business as a leader in sustainability, but installing electric vehicle charge points can give a business the competitive edge in unlocking new revenue streams.
4. Taking control of spending with smart meters
Effective energy management is key to financial resilience. ScottishPower smart meters provide businesses with the tools to monitor and control energy spending, helping them stay on top of their finances.
Smart meters give businesses near real-time insights into energy usage, enabling owners to identify inefficiencies and take corrective actions promptly. This will help Glasgow businesses hit their sustainability goals and help to lower the city’s carbon footprint.
The UK Government has reported that 66% of energy meters now operating across Great Britain were smart or advanced by the end of 2024, a figure that was just 1% 12 years ago^^. ScottishPower wants to help businesses embrace the benefits of having a smart meter and enable them to take advantage of their real-time data.
5. Staying ahead with green technology
Technology in the energy industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. For small businesses, keeping up with these advancements in technology is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and operational efficiency.
The second half of 2025 is set to be an exciting time for small business leaders, as green technologies become more widely available for businesses. By staying informed and exploring solar, heating, and electric vehicle technologies, SMEs can position themselves as leaders in green innovation – boosting both sustainability credentials and business growth.
For more insights and tailored energy solutions, reach out to our team of experts at ScottishPower at smart.solutions.sales@scottishpower.com. Together, we can shape a greener, more sustainable future.
Sources
** https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/small-business/saving-energy
