How The Westlodge Hotel Saved €64,217 by Avoiding Out-of-Contract Electricity Rates

Case Study Overview

The Westlodge Hotel has been welcoming guests to Bantry in West Cork for over 50 years. Set on 26 acres of landscaped gardens overlooking Bantry Bay, the four-star hotel is a popular destination for family holidays, weddings and special occasions.

With restaurants, a swimming pool and extensive leisure facilities to run, electricity is a significant expense for the hotel. When its existing contract was approaching expiry, the hotel's Financial Controller contacted Utilityfair to review the available options and avoid a potential €64,217 increase in annual electricity costs.

We worked closely with the hotel to review its electricity usage and compare rates from all Irish suppliers, covering different contract lengths, fixed-price tariffs and wholesale tracker options. We then went through the alternatives together to help the hotel decide on the best approach.

With fixed-price offers high at the time, The Westlodge Hotel decided to remain on a 12-month wholesale electricity tracker, retaining its discounted rates and the flexibility to fix prices later as market conditions improve.

By actively managing its electricity contract and comparing all available options, The Westlodge Hotel saved €64,217 annually against expensive out-of-contract electricity rates.

Key Highlight: €64,217 saved annually against out-of-contract electricity rates.

The Challenge: Managing Electricity Costs Across a Busy Hotel

With two restaurants, a swimming pool, leisure facilities and guest accommodation, The Westlodge Hotel has substantial electricity requirements. Keeping energy costs under control is an important part of managing the hotel's operating expenses.

As its existing electricity contract approached expiry, the hotel faced a potential €64,217 increase in annual electricity costs if it moved onto expensive out-of-contract rates.

With fixed-price electricity offers high at the time, the challenge was to review the available contracts and agree on the most suitable purchasing strategy before the hotel's existing agreement expired.

How The Westlodge Hotel Worked with Utilityfair to Manage Electricity Costs

The Westlodge Hotel has been a Utilityfair customer for several years. As part of our ongoing relationship, we monitor the hotel's electricity contract end dates and review the available options ahead of each renewal.

Ahead of the latest renewal, we reviewed the hotel's electricity usage and existing contract arrangements to check whether anything had changed and discuss its electricity requirements for the coming year.

We then prepared a detailed side-by-side comparison of electricity prices from all Irish suppliers, covering different contract lengths, fixed-price tariffs and wholesale tracker options.

Working closely with the hotel's Financial Controller, we went through the available offers together, discussing the differences between the contracts and the advantages and risks of each option. With fixed-price offers high at the time, remaining on a wholesale tracker was the hotel's preferred approach.

The Westlodge Hotel decided to remain on a 12-month wholesale electricity tracker, retaining its discounted rates and the flexibility to fix prices later as market conditions improve.

Results: €64,217 Saved by Avoiding Out-of-Contract Electricity Rates

• Annual Electricity Savings: The Westlodge Hotel saved €64,217 annually by renewing before its existing contract expired, avoiding expensive out-of-contract rates.
• Full Market Comparison: Compared electricity prices from all Irish suppliers across different contract lengths, fixed-price tariffs and wholesale tracker options.
• Wholesale Tracker Renewal: Renewed on a 12-month wholesale tracker, retaining discounted rates and the flexibility to fix prices later.
• Ongoing Contract Monitoring: Utilityfair continues to monitor the hotel's electricity contract renewals and review available options each year to keep energy costs under control.

Are You Looking for a Better Energy Deal?

Call 01 547 0999 or click below to request a free energy review. We’ll review your current energy contracts and show you how much you could save. We’ll show you every supplier’s rates and explain the different contract options, so you can make the right decision for your business. Once you are happy to proceed, we’ll arrange the new contracts for you with no disruption to your business.