Here at The School Network, we’ve been in active conversations with Ecoaim—an energy consultancy and installer making waves across the public sector. Our aim? To understand how their integrated energy strategy is delivering real-world results for schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs)—and how their model might help others do the same.
With energy bills soaring, frameworks shifting, and net-zero mandates moving up the agenda, trust leaders are being asked to do more—with less. This feature brings together sector context, fresh thinking, and a real-world case study to offer actionable insight.
Why Energy Strategy Is Now a Boardroom Issue
Recent volatility in the UK energy market has hit the education sector particularly hard. MATs managing dozens of sites are facing:
- Significant variance in tariffs across their estate
- Rising energy costs squeezing core budgets
- Pressure to decarbonise under DfE guidance
- A fragmented supplier and installer ecosystem
Yet, many trusts still treat energy tactically—reacting to costs rather than planning strategically.
A Real-World Blueprint: 10 Academies, £82,500 Saved Annually, click here to see the stats.
Ecoaim is currently delivering a 3MW solar project across 10 academy sites in the South East. The model is simple but powerful:
- 62% of each site’s electricity is generated onsite
- 5p/kWh cheaper than grid energy via Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
- £60,000 saved per year across the trust from solar generation
- £22,500 saved through green grid supply for residual usage
- Energy sleeving ensures non-solar schools still benefit from the generation mix
Instead of a site-by-site approach, the trust chose portfolio-level planning—unlocking scale, speed, and long-term value.
What Trust Leaders Should Know
Ecoaim’s approach works because it addresses three core challenges most MATs face:
| Challenge | Ecoaim Solution |
| CapEx limitations | Zero-upfront PPA and hire-purchase options |
| Fragmented site data | Whole-estate energy health check & audit |
| Short-termism | Long-term planning across assets and supply |
Practical Advice: How to Move from Reactive to Strategic
MATs looking to future-proof their energy approach should:
- Start with a full energy health check – Get the data across all sites.
- Ask about sleeving – Few suppliers can offer this, but it transforms impact.
- Seek multi-tech capability – Solar, storage, EV, CHP—don’t settle for one-size-fits-all.
- Ensure procurement + design are integrated – Most savings are lost here.
- Push for whole-trust planning – Benefits multiply when planned at scale.
“We’re Saving Without Spending”: What MAT Leaders Say
“Ecoaim helped us understand our usage, streamline contracts, and get solar where it made sense. We’re now saving over £80,000 a year—and we didn’t need to touch our capital budget.”
— COO, South East Multi-Academy Trust
Take Action: Book a Free Trust-Wide Energy Health Check
Ecoaim offers a no-cost, no-obligation Energy Health Check tailored for MATs. It identifies usage patterns, procurement inefficiencies, and potential solar-ready sites across your estate.
🔗 Learn more or request your free check-up by clicking here
Final Thought
Energy shouldn’t be an afterthought. For MAT leaders, it’s a strategic lever to reduce costs, boost resilience, and meet decarbonisation goals.
Ecoaim’s model shows that with the right partner, you can do all three—without spending up front.
