Edinburgh energy company eyes growth with new head of supply

Flexitricity, an Edinburgh-based energy company specialising in demand side response, has appointed a new head of supply as it prepares to launch its commercial energy supply offering later this year. 

Rachel Maitland, who previously specialised in commercial contracts at SSE and ScottishPower, takes on the newly-created role. She will oversee the implementation, launch and ongoing management of Flexitricity’s new service offering, Flexitricity+.

Set to launch in October 2018, Flexitricity+ is a unique energy supply service which will open up the dynamic and valuable Balancing Mechanism (BM) market to business energy customers for the first time. The BM is one of the most important tools which National Grid uses to balance electricity supply and demand in real time.

Rachel Maitland, said: “Joining Flexitricity at such a pivotal moment in its journey is incredibly exciting. There is the opportunity within my new role to drive the change that our industry needs and that Flexitricity has championed.  That’s not something you come across in every job role.  

“Before joining Flexitricity, I had heard about the plan to launch a new supply service and found the concept of Flexitricity+ incredibly interesting. After meeting the team, I knew I wanted to get on board and be involved in the business. There is a palpable energy and enthusiasm within the company, and that combined with the genuine excitement around Flexitricity+, made the new role very appealing.”

Ron Ramage, Chief Executive Officer, Flexitricity said: “Having Rachel on board will be key to our success - her industry knowledge, skills and experience puts us in a very strong position for launching Flexitricity+.”

By utilising the flexibility of I&C businesses and small generators across the country, Flexitricity says it can give its customers a slice of the premium market which can equate to around £350 million per year. Just as our energy system doesn’t need to be dominated by large, centralised power stations, there’s no reason why only utility companies should earn revenue from the Balancing Mechanism. At the same time, Flexitricity+ will help cut the cost of balancing the electricity system for both the energy user and National Grid, by providing greater flexibility and agility.

Rachel added: “I know that I will have a challenge on my hands and that challenge can be summed up in one word – change. This is an innovative new service that both industry and customers are not yet fully familiar with. And, as you might expect with any new service, there will be reservations. However, I think when customers start to see the revenue that they can generate through Flexitricity+, that will quickly change.

“One of my key roles within the business will be to educate partners, the industry and customers. Energy companies who continue to sit idle and ‘do things as they’ve always done them’ will be left behind as the industry continues to move around them. Flexitricity is at the forefront of identifying opportunities that maximise revenue for customers and I have no doubt that with the launch of this new service, Flexitricity will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Ends

Issued by Weber Shandwick on behalf of Flexitricity.

For more information, images or interviews please contact:

Dyan Owen: 0141 333 0557/ 07775 404 601/ dowen@webershandwick.com

Notes to Editors:

About Flexitricity:

Flexitricity partners with businesses throughout the UK to provide reserve electricity to National Grid.

The word “Flexitricity” means “Flexible Electricity”. The company looks for flexibility in electricity consumption and generation, creating revenue for energy users and generators using the flexibility they find.

Flexitricity was founded in 2004 by Dr Alastair Martin, a professional energy engineer with experience ranging from gigawatt-scale coal and nuclear power stations.

Based in Edinburgh, the company introduced the concept of aggregated load management and flexible generation.

National Grid’s estimate of savings to consumers can be found at: http://www.nationalgridconnecting.com/how-dsr-could-transform-our-energy-system/