A Welcome Boost for British Industry, But the Journey to Energy Independence Continues

Volta discusses the UK's £420m energy discount for businesses, its impact on industry, and the path to long-term energy resilience & independence.

Connor Braddy

10/31/20253 min read

A Welcome Boost for British Industry, But the Journey to Energy Independence Continues

London, UK - October 31, 2025 - Today’s announcement by Business Secretary Peter Kyle of £420 million in electricity discounts is a welcome injection of support for Britain's energy-intensive industries. At Volta, we see this as a positive step in acknowledging the immense pressure rising energy costs have placed on our most vital manufacturing sectors.

The government's decision to increase the discount on electricity network charges from 60% to 90% will provide immediate and much-needed relief for around 500 businesses, including key players in the glass and steel industries. As Mr. Kyle stated during his visit to the Encirc Glass factory, this will make British businesses "£420 million more competitive."

We echo the sentiment of Encirc's managing director, Sean Murphy, who called the announcement a "major boost" that helps safeguard thousands of jobs as industries navigate the crucial transition to renewable energy.

Beyond Discounts: The Path to Long-Term Resilience

While this government support is a crucial lifeline, it also highlights a broader challenge. Discounts and subsidies are temporary measures; true long-term competitiveness will be forged by businesses taking direct control of their energy consumption, cost, and carbon footprint. The "frustrating" delay until 2027 for the steel sector, as noted by UK Steel's Gareth Stace, underscores the need for solutions that can be implemented today.

This is where strategic energy management becomes paramount. The future of UK industry depends not just on navigating network charges, but on fundamentally optimising how energy is used, generated, and stored.

Volta: Powering the Future of Industry

At Volta, we believe in empowering businesses to move beyond dependency on fluctuating market prices and temporary government relief. Our integrated energy solutions provide the tools for this transformation. By leveraging smart technology and real-time data analytics, we enable companies to:

Reduce Consumption: Identify and eliminate energy waste with precision.
Optimise Costs: Intelligently manage energy usage to align with off-peak tariffs and avoid premium charges.
Embrace Renewables: Seamlessly integrate on-site generation, such as solar or wind, to secure a low-cost, sustainable power source for the long term.

The government has provided a valuable opportunity for industry to catch its breath. Now is the time to invest that breathing room into building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable future. Let's use this moment to move from temporary relief to permanent strength.

"This is a lifeline but true competition comes from control. Now is the time for businesses to invest in their own energy and turn this temporary help into long term sustainability."