Manufacturing Today Issue - 249 June 2026 | Page 24

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to secure in advance, how much exposure to retain to market pricing, and which procurement structures best align with their operational priorities and risk appetite. For manufacturers expecting expansion, electrification, or changing production patterns over the coming years, this longer-term view becomes increasingly important. Granular data also creates opportunities to optimize day-today consumption. After identifying peak demand periods and analyzing pricing and carbon intensity trends, manufacturers may be able to shift certain non-critical loads or activities to lower cost periods or times when renewable generation is higher.
For example, some energy intensive processes may be better scheduled outside traditional evening peak demand windows, particularly where operational flexibility already exists. Over time, these adjustments can help businesses reduce costs, improve carbon performance, and build more resilient energy strategies.
Answering sustainability concerns
Of course, the benefits of integrating renewable generation into an energy strategy are not merely financial. They also dovetail with the increasing pressure to make operations more sustainable.
Whether it be from ESG commitments made by manufacturers themselves, increased external investor inquiries, retailer requirements, or consumer expectation, manufacturers can no longer escape the pressure to lower their carbon impact.
Again, possibilities for sophisticated usage profiling elevate already significant sustainable benefits. For instance, PPAs not only offer a means to integrate lowcarbon, renewable energy into operations in the first place, but the high-quality data means this sustainable activity can be proven.
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