E.ON, the company which runs Powergen and E.ON Energy, has today announced an agreement with yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur that will see the company’s B2B division become an official supporting partner to her Offshore Challenges Sailing Team.
On land, the key focus of the partnership will be for Ellen to learn more about the problems that the business community faces, in particular energy efficiency, and help to communicate some of the practical solutions that will move us to a more sustainable future.
Ellen, who completed her record breaking solo around the world voyage in 71 days in 2005, is embarking on this journey with E.ON to learn more about sustainability, one of the most important challenges British businesses face today. According to recent estimates, the business sector is responsible for 40% of the nation's CO2 carbon emissions.
With Ellen’s keen interest in sustainability, E.ON is looking for new ways to help its customers to further understand their use of energy and take advantage of industry best practice.
And, as she begins working with E.ON’s Business to Business division, Ellen will also learn more about what can be done to reduce her impact on the environment and that of her business, OC Group.
Ellen MacArthur said: ““Carefully managing my resources - be it my energy, food consumption or fuel, has always been a key aspect of my solo voyages and something I have lived with all my life. A racing sailor leaves for a non-stop around the world race with the absolute minimum onboard to save weight, yet must complete their voyage in a self-sufficient way. You save everything, you economise everywhere.
“I am keen to know how we can all take practical steps to be more energy efficient in everyday life, especially in my own business, OC Group. There is no question we are part of the problem like everyone else. We travel, we consume, we waste. We have lots to learn in the coming years on how to improve our own footprint on the planet.
“I’m looking forward to question, to learn, and ultimately to help share solutions with E.ON’s business customers – saving money along the way and helping us lead a more sustainable life.”
Peter Haigh, Director of B2B at E.ON UK said: “Businesses in the UK are a major contributor to carbon emissions and must take more responsibility to reduce their impact on the environment. Whilst a few companies have taken energy efficiency seriously, they still remain in the minority. We understand that businesses are still searching to become better informed, so that they can take action that meets their specific company’s needs.
“Today’s launch is just the beginning of a programme to help our customers meet the challenge in reducing their effect on the planet. In our experience customers learn best both from our own energy expertise and also from other customers. That’s why we are pleased to be working with Ellen, as her passion for the environment and ability to challenge convention will undoubtedly spur the UK business community to take courageous actions of their own.”
And E.ON itself is also taking steps to reduce its own carbon footprint, both operationally in its power production and also non-operationally in its office buildings.
“We’re committed to reducing the carbon intensity of our power generation and the carbon footprint of our buildings, while also increasing the amount of power we produce from green sources,” said Peter.
E.ON helps businesses form their own energy policy through practical and sustainable solutions for better energy management and energy efficiency advice. E.ON supplies power and gas to its small and medium business customers through the company’s retail arm Powergen, and supplies its industrial and commercial business customers through E.ON Energy.
To find out more and follow Ellen on her journey to learn more about sustainability, visit www.eonenergy.com/ellen to view Ellen’s personal diary.
The following contacts are able to deal with any E.ON UK Retail related enquiry
Nick Sandham
PR Manager
024 7618 1307
nick.sandham@powergen.co.uk
Cara Ponton
PR Executive
024 7618 1303
cara.ponton@powergen.co.uk
Victoria Blake
PR Executive
024 7618 1304
victoria.blake@powergen.co.uk
For enquiries relating directly to Ellen, or OC Group please contact:
Katie Green
Media & Partner Relations
OC Group
katie.green@ocgroup.com
01983 282797
E.ON UK’s Retail press office can answer queries from the media relating to the following:
Powergen - one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers with six million residential and small business customers
Powergen Staywarm – Powergen’s unique fixed price service for the over 60s
E.ON Energy – E.ON UK’s Industrial and Commercial retail business
The team can also help with Powergen’s Home Energy Services business and energy efficiency programmes, and E.ON UK’s community affairs activities.
For details on other press releases visit http://www.eon-uk.com/.
For general information or enquiries, please call 024 7642 4000 or visit our contact information page.
