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Released on: December 9, 2008, 5:24 am

Press Release Author: Opus Energy

Industry: Energy

Press Release Summary: Cleaner energy and smart meters support the housing association’s eco-friendly goal

Sandwell Homes has signed up with Opus Energy to supply their offices with renewable and cleaner energy as part of the company’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint.



Press Release Body: Sandwell Homes has signed up with Opus Energy to supply their offices with renewable and cleaner energy as part of the company’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint.

Opus Energy, an independent supplier of electricity to UK businesses, won an 18 month contract with Sandwell Homes worth in the region of £1million.

Sandwell Homes, which is responsible for managing 30,000 council properties on behalf of Sandwell MBC, wanted to be proactive in becoming more environmentally responsible. Opus’s simple approach of sourcing cleaner energy for every customer appealed to Sandwell’s vision for both the company and the borough.

Sandwell Homes’ Environmental Manager, Tony Thompson, said: “This is the first step in a series of environmentally friendly measures planned for Sandwell Homes. We will be reviewing our waste, recycling and transport CO2 emissions and hope to make savings for the company and on behalf of the taxpayer in the long-term. We are committed to influencing the local community by setting the example and reducing our carbon footprint.”

Members of Sandwell Homes’ new environmental steering group signed up to the eco-challenge by painting their hands green and marking a symbolic giant footprint at the start of the group’s first meeting.

Steve James, Commercial Director at Opus Energy said: “We are really enthusiastic about supporting Sandwell Homes in their goal to be environmentally responsible. We worked closely with the team to suit the company’s individual requirements and were able to source a cost neutral renewable energy which is Levy exempt. We will also be installing smart meters at no additional cost which is a great way of monitoring and reducing electricity consumption.”

• Opus Energy will be installing over 800 smart meters at Sandwell Homes sites
• The Carbon Trust suggests that smart metering could reduce the average business’ consumption by 12.3% a year
• Other councils using smart meters include Cambridge and Cumbria City Councils

Notes to Editors

About Opus Energy
Opus Energy is a leading independent supplier of electricity offering tailor-made solutions for the UK SME and corporate markets. Its market-leading innovations are driven by customer needs and the company is committed to helping businesses become more environmentally responsible through procurement of energy from cleaner sources.

Opus Energy has over 40,000 customers across all sectors. Large customers include: Yell Group, Thorntons, Farmfoods, Cumbria County Council and Deloitte & Touche.

Over the last two years (between April 2006 and March 2008), 62% of the energy supplied by Opus Energy to its customers came from cleaner, low-carbon sources – 54% from renewable generators and 8% from cleaner Combined Heat and Power (CHP) produced by CHP generators. These CHP generators have been awarded accreditation by the regulator, Ofgem, for producing cleaner, more environmentally friendly power.

Opus Energy’s management team has a 50 percent stake in the business, while International Power Plc (LSE:IPR.L) holds 30 percent and Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L ) has 20 percent. With offices in Northampton and Oxford, it employs 200 people.

For further information, please see www.opusenergy.co.uk

Web Site: http://opusevolution.opusenergy.com

Contact Details: Opus Energy
Opus House
285 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 7JF

Opus Energy Press Office

Georgina Ruttle / Susie Patterson
T. 0207 269 7255 / 7233
E. georgina.ruttle@fd.com / susie.patterson@fd.com