16th September 2025

PRESS RELEASE

 

BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS TRUST PARTNERS WITH EQUITY ENERGIES TO SECURE NEW ENERGY DEAL AND ADVANCE ON PATHWAY TO NET ZERO

New contract delivers £182k savings and boosts sustainability efforts across the city’s leading cultural sites.

[Birmingham, 16th September] –Equity Energies has been appointed by Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT) as its energy strategy partner, immediately unlocking over £182,000 in cost savings and enabling a more flexible, sustainable energy supply for several of the city’s most visited cultural landmarks.

The new contract, which covers gas and electricity procurement, secures a 35% reduction in energy costs compared to the Trust’s previous contracts. BMT is looking to invest into sustainability projects across the museum estate, including upgrades to improve energy efficiency and reduce overall consumption, and on-site generation.

Electricity procured under the new contract is backed exclusively by wind, solar and hydro Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs), with no biomass, aligning with the Trust’s environmental values and 2040 Net Zero commitment.

The Trust, which includes nine museums such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Thinktank, is also working with Equity Energies to install MY ZEERO energy meters at Thinktank and its Museum Collection Centre. These will provide real-time insights into energy use, supporting long-term Net Zero pathway design for decarbonisation.

Colin Butler, Sustainability Officer at Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“This new partnership is a huge boost for us. We approached Equity Energies to assist us with reducing our consumption and accelerating our sustainability initiatives, but we have also unlocked significant financial savings through their energy brokerage. The support we’ve had from Equity Energies has been fantastic, from the team’s procurement expertise through to their commitment to helping us build a greener future for Birmingham’s cherished museums and historic properties.”

The new agreement also includes the introduction of Equity Energies’ bureau service, which will automate utility bill validation and consumption tracking, saving time for internal teams and freeing up resource to focus on broader sustainability planning and execution.

Key benefits of the partnership include:

  • £182k cost saving across gas and electricity contracts
  • 100% renewable electricity supply from non-biomass sources
  • No penalty volume tolerances, allowing museums to reduce usage without incurring additional charges
  • Automated reporting and billing validation, reducing administrative burden and identifying and solving any issues with misaligned billing
  • Tailored consultancy support for Birmingham Museums’ Net Zero strategy

Maureen Bray, Managing Director, Equity Energies, added:

“It’s been a privilege to support Birmingham Museums Trust on this journey. The team has shown real commitment to making positive, practical changes that benefit the environment, the public, and the long-term future of these incredible spaces. This is about more than just cost savings – it’s about building resilience and creating space for cultural institutions to lead by example.”

The partnership forms part of Birmingham Museums Trust’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility, as outlined in its Climate Pledge, which sets out an ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2040. The Trust is actively reducing its energy use, phasing out single-use plastics, enhancing biodiversity, and inspiring public engagement through education and action.

One example is the Our Changing Planet exhibition at Thinktank, which explores the environmental impact of human activity and highlights the innovative solutions shaping a more sustainable future. By combining operational change with public-facing storytelling, the Trust is ensuring its climate ambition is matched by meaningful progress.

For further information, visit https://www.equityenergies.com/

 

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About Equity Energies

Equity Energies is changing the way organisations approach energy strategy.

We create energy equity for businesses and organisations by turning their Net Zero ambitions into action which delivers environmental, societal, and commercial value.

For more than 20 years, we’ve been at the forefront of the energy transition and our commitment remains unchanged; to continue to improve the energy model so it’s fit for the future, delivering greater efficiencies, less waste and more sustainable energy.

Our vision is for every organisation in the UK to be advancing on their pathway to Net Zero and beyond and benefiting from the value generated.

We call that energy equity.

Equity Energies is part of FTSE-100 listed DCC plc.