‘A new era of collaboration’ has been heralded by an influential report published by Universities UK about the future of the university sector. The report, created by the UUK transformation and efficiency taskforce, responds to the severe financial pressure the sector is currently under. It calls for a much greater focus on how universities across the UK can work together, share services and assets, and collaborate in the national interest.
We sat down with TEC’s Managing Director Adam Clarke to discuss the role TEC can play in supporting a more collaborative approach which will empower universities and achieve cost savings.
How can TEC support the report recommendations from the Universities UK transformation and efficiency taskforce?
TEC’s Frameworks and our organisational approach are all based on the power of the collective. Whether that be using group buying power to reduce energy spend or facilitating knowledge sharing amongst members, collaboration is key. At TEC, we provide a shared service because institutions share the expertise of our energy traders, Framework partners, and TEC facilitated member forums. We’re also placing a greater emphasis on supporting members to improve energy efficiency and sufficiency this year.
There is obviously more we can do, and we look forward to supporting phase two of the taskforce’s work. We represent 75% of the sector, and there is still room for new members to join our Framework. We also welcome the opportunity to have deeper engagement with other consortiums to share knowledge and best practices. This includes colleagues in Scotland with whom we can critically assess how we operate, ensuring that between us we provide the best value to the sector.
What role can TEC play in unlocking solutions for institutional transformation?
Our role is to share good practice within the membership and to ensure that members have access to the products and services which meet their needs. Through webinars, events and our annual conference we provide an ongoing dialogue between our members. We also aim to support institutions with estate side energy management through a range of new and revamped behind the meter services. These services – such as energy metering and solar energy – will support members in the energy transition and the shift to the Clean Power 2030 agenda.
How does TEC’s approach of group buying support the higher education sector to reduce energy costs?
By purchasing in greater volumes, we can negotiate a better price. Our forward buying strategy also ensures budget certainty for our membership. In 2023/24 the membership averaged a saving of £11.10 on every £1 spent on fees within the Framework for gas and electricity utilities. Our approach also provides access to a better range of opportunities across commodity markets. New for this year, we are using our group-wide buying power to access services for members for behind the meter solutions.
How is TEC supporting the sector with energy efficiency and sufficiency solutions?
We’ve been speaking to our members for a long time about this. We have also carried out two carbon reduction surveys with them. The surveys, along with direct conversations with institutions, have enabled us to shape our services in response to member needs. This has included rolling out revamped solar services. We will be launching new offerings covering BEMs, lighting, and energy metering later this year. These services will include funded and self-funded options along with free feasibility studies.
We believe that solutions to about 80% of the immediate issues institutions face can be provided by the membership. John Brenton, our head of energy and carbon reduction, uses his unique position to gain insights from individual members and share these across the membership. This is the principle of our energy and carbon reduction webinars which are very well attended and facilitate two-way exchanges between members. We are regularly told these sessions are “engaging and informative” providing a forum for “self-help” when navigating the complexities of estate decarbonisation.
What is the one thing individual institutions can do to improve energy efficiency?
I would say there are two things, and these reflect key themes which emerged from our carbon reduction survey. They are setting up an energy working group and adopting a heating and cooling policy. These are both cheap to deploy, but the return on investment is huge. Using learnings from individual institutions, John Brenton has produced two helpful guidance papers on these topics.
What do you think the major developments will be in how the university sector evolves and transforms over the coming years?
The report recommends a new era of collaboration, not just across the university sector, but between the Government, sector organisations and universities. It is clear that shared services will play a much bigger role in the sector going forwards and it will be interesting to see what shape future mergers and confederations will take. I think it is likely that new collaborations will emerge across categories to support a more unified approach.
At TEC, we are keen to develop a greater range of shared services which capitalise on the power of the collective. We will also continue to identify opportunities for efficiency gains. We’re proud to have taken a collaborative approach with the sector for the last 30 years, and I’m excited about how we can support the evolving needs of universities of the future.
