A strategic energy relationship with the John Innes Centre

Customer Success Story:  The John Innes Centre

Born out of a referral from another satisfied client, World Kinect began working with the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England.  As a registered charity and government-funded organisation pushing for scientific innovation with its research spanning agriculture, chemistry, and biology, it manages a complex site housing multiple institutes under a single facilities management team. 

However, with cutting-edge research and significant energy demands, the Centre faced a pressing need for a bespoke energy procurement and management approach. From the outset, it was clear that the John Innes Centre required more than just a standard energy service. The Centre’s facilities team sought greater control and transparency in energy management to optimise costs and meet sustainability goals—something their existing government procurement arrangements couldn’t provide.

The Challenge

The John Innes Centre initially relied on government procurement services for its energy needs. However, the facilities management team found that the one-size-fits-all approach didn’t provide the control, transparency, or personalised service required, especially given the site’s complex layout featuring multiple institutes. 

The Centre needed more strategic and customised energy management to optimise costs, control pricing, and progress toward sustainability targets. With facilities that include ageing infrastructure and high-energy-use systems, the John Innes Centre also needed an energy partner who could help them navigate the UK’s complex energy market with a bespoke outlook for the business.

The Solution

World Kinect stepped in with a comprehensive energy strategy tailored to the Centre’s needs. This partnership focused on four key areas:

Energy Procurement and Portfolio Management

• World Kinect aligned the Centre’s energy contracts with bespoke strategies rather than off-the-shelf solutions. In the first procurement round, the Centre saved £20,000 through renegotiated contracts. Monthly market updates empowered the Centre’s team with insights into energy price drivers, enabling more strategic decision-making and budget management.

Data Management and Carbon Reporting

• To enhance compliance and sustainability, World Kinect introduced advanced data management and carbon reporting services, including SECR and CHPQA. Through CHPQA, the Centre achieved an annual saving of £70,000 while gaining the tools to monitor, report, and effectively reduce its carbon footprint.

Energy Strategy and Net Zero Consultancy

• Recognising the Centre’s commitment to sustainability, World Kinect developed a tailored net-zero energy strategy. This £65,000 consultancy project provided actionable recommendations for retrofitting older buildings, planning future energy needs, and understanding market changes. The strategy outlined a clear pathway to net zero, balancing operational goals with budget constraints.

Billing Accuracy and Supplier Transition Support

• World Kinect resolved billing inaccuracies accumulated with previous suppliers, ensuring invoices reflected exact energy usage and agreed-upon rates. This improved payment efficiency and eliminated costly disputes, enabling the Centre to focus on its broader energy goals.

The Impact

The results of this partnership were transformative. The Centre saved over £100,000 in just one year, paving the way for future sustainability investments, including potential on-site renewable energy projects. With expert guidance and transparent supplier management, the Centre gained:

• Predictable and balanced budgets
• Advanced energy strategy and net-zero expertise
• Efficient data management and reporting

Stephen Guy, Operational Services Manager, had this to say about working with World Kinect:   

“We’re saving huge amounts of money with World Kinect, and I’ve come to understand a lot more about the energy market. Being able to just ask someone the simplest of questions, and knowing you’re going to get an honest answer, has changed how we understand and manage our energy. The big and little things World Kinect keeps offering us have made a huge benefit for me as an individual, us as a facility, and of course to the John Innes institutes.”

World Kinect’s tailored approach has empowered the John Innes Centre to achieve cost efficiencies while making strides toward a sustainable future. Their partnership exemplifies how strategic energy management can drive significant operational and environmental gains.