22 October 2025
The healthcare sector in the UK - like so many others - faces mounting financial pressures as well as increasing demands to meet ambitious sustainability targets. Unlike other sectors, though, decisions made in healthcare management have the potential to drastically impact the quality of patient care, something that cannot risk compromise. Against this backdrop, energy strategy is emerging as a critical lever to drive meaningful change.
At SEFE Energy, we work closely with healthcare providers of all sizes to help them navigate this complex landscape. Here are three key energy priorities that can deliver real impact, as shared with attendees of the Healthcare Estates event this week:
1. Focus on Demand: Understand and Reduce Consumption
Reducing energy demand is the most immediate and cost-effective way to lower emissions and control costs, but many healthcare organisations lack visibility into how and where energy is being used due to ageing systems or competing priorities.
Methods for reducing and monitoring demand include LED lighting implementation, building management optimisation, and energy audits.
By focusing on demand first, healthcare providers can create quick wins and build a strong foundation for longer-term sustainability initiatives.
2. Rethink Procurement: Strategy and Partnerships Matter
Energy procurement in healthcare requires more consideration than just securing the lowest price; it requires consideration of risk (e.g. around supply interruptions or cost variability), flexibility, and alignment with broader strategic goals. Frameworks such as the Crown Commercial Service or NHS SBS are often worth considering, but can also present challenges such as a limited supplier pool and a one-size-fits-all approach. Consultancies may be able to provide advice and support with contract negotiation, while there are also benefits to be realised through careful selection of direct suppliers.
SEFE Energy offers tailored contracts designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare organisations, helping them make informed decisions that deliver long-term value.
3. Align with Net Zero and Regulatory Mandates
Sustainability has become increasingly important over the years, and is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ item on the agenda – it is a strategic imperative that can result in reputational as well as financial penalties if targets are not met. There are several national and sector-specific regulations that UK healthcare providers must adhere to, including government net zero targets, the Health and Care Act 2022, and the Public Sector Procurement Act .
Framing sustainability as a value driver rather than simply a compliance burden can help to unlock funding, secure critical executive buy-in, and position energy investment as a contributor to clinical excellence and operational resilience.
By focusing on demand, rethinking procurement, and aligning with regulatory mandates, healthcare organisations can reduce costs, improve sustainability, and future-proof their operations.
At SEFE Energy, we understand the competing challenges healthcare organisations face every day. Navigating the energy market shouldn’t add to that pressure. That’s why we’ve hosted educational days and workshops with NHS energy managers - covering everything from market drivers and price trends to risk management strategies - so you can feel confident in your decisions. Our goal is to make energy simple, transparent, and to build a partnership you can rely on.
At SEFE Energy, we’re here to help. We can handle our customers’ most complex energy needs, so they can focus on what they do best: delivering products and services used by millions of people across Europe every day. If you have further questions about our work with the healthcare sector, get in touch with our team to discuss your needs in more detail.