Is EHU metering a good investment?

GEandGJE replied on 28/11/2022 17:23

Posted on 28/11/2022 17:23

I was going to post this in the thread that has been Deleted User as a number of folk were saying that EHU Metering would make pitch prices cheaper, so Let's play the You Said, We Listened and Implemented game. This is my view based on my experience as an IT Infrastructure Project Manager and in IT Procurement.  To satisfy the We don't want EHU and want cheaper pitch prices group of people, the We only want to pay for the electricity we use group of people and the I'll pay whatever as I'm on holiday group of people, the clubs only option is to move to metered usage. How does the club do that and what investment would be needed. Lets estimate that the club has over 10,000 pitches with an average of 2 hookups per bollard that's 5,000 bollards that will need to be modified and/or replaced and some of those will need groundwork undertaken for new cabling etc, it will require  putting all pitches out of action and subsequent loss of income whilst the work takes place. This can't all be done at once and I think that a 5 year rollout period would be a stretch and it would take a dedicated team at HQ to manage. They would need to procure equipment, electrical installation teams, groundwork teams, IT systems and software to operate the metering and payments, negotiate contracts with all the power companies who supply the club sites and negotiate with any land owners. I don't think you would get much change from a £5 million investment of the clubs (our) money. Issues that the club would need to consider 1) leased sites where the land owner doesn't give permission for the work to be carried out or the lease will soon come to an end 2) the price per kW from each of the power suppliers will vary depending on contract length and renewal dates, so do they average that price out across all sites or do you have different EHU costs in different areas of the network 3) do you factor the suppliers standing charge into the  metered cost,  4) the club would need to move to a credit card only payment system where the payment for EUH used is automatically deducted at the end of your stay 5) a central dispute resolution team, as there will always be people who will challenge the bill and that shouldn't be the on site teams and finally the biggest question for the club, 6) what return on investment will the club get. I doubt very much that the savings made from the electricity used would come close to the investment needed therefore the remaining investment would need to come from reserves and most likely recouped from increased pitch prices. Lastly this would give the club a very inconsistent offering with not all sites offering metered EUH, the cost of EHU could vary from site to site and an even bigger price variance across the network. Not a very good Business Case in my view, in terms of both investment and inconvenience to the membership so I can't see it happening I'm afraid.

replied on 30/11/2022 20:28

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:22 by Tinwheeler

However, the question is whether lekky should be metered  which is something Iā€™m sure will come in due course in the interests of fairness and which will enable CAMC, or any site operator, to establish a more stable pricing regime. 

 

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:28

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Cornersteady replied on 30/11/2022 20:37

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:37

So is spending £3m plus and really more, an investment? No answer to that yet?

Yes there are benefits but are those worth that amount of money. I'm glad to hear the club according to PD is so rich but what is the best way to use that. I would say new sites, improvement on current ones which could be argued bring in money.

A way to switch off the EHU is possible with control at the wardens office but this will need new equipment that would allow it, more expense? But again would the club wish to lose any legal income in it's inclusive price?

When bollards need replacement then why not do it then even if it doesn't all become live till a much later date, after all where would people go if they had a choice?

I'm not against meters as it would not affect me and it would stop these discussions every now and again especially from those that have no interest in using club sites anyway.

 

Tinwheeler replied on 30/11/2022 20:47

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:28 by

No it shouldn't  and I speak as a member entitled to express a view.

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:47

Good for you. As a non-member, I'm not expressing a preference or view about what should or shouldn’t happen, only my opinion of what the future may hold.šŸ‘šŸ»

Hja replied on 30/11/2022 20:54

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:54

This is a useful discussion with a variety of views - as it should be in a discussion forum. Why do a couple of you have to squabble?  This forum allows members and non members, allows site users and not site users to participate in the forum.  So why should whether someone uses sites or not be a problem?

We have only used one club site this year for one night (rest have largely been CLs).  Maybe, if electricity was metered I would be more inclined to use club sites, maybe not.  As a member I think I am entitled to contribute and I find the sniping irritating in the extreme (even though I try and ignore it).

Cornersteady replied on 30/11/2022 21:07

Posted on 30/11/2022 20:54 by Hja

This is a useful discussion with a variety of views - as it should be in a discussion forum. Why do a couple of you have to squabble?  This forum allows members and non members, allows site users and not site users to participate in the forum.  So why should whether someone uses sites or not be a problem?

We have only used one club site this year for one night (rest have largely been CLs).  Maybe, if electricity was metered I would be more inclined to use club sites, maybe not.  As a member I think I am entitled to contribute and I find the sniping irritating in the extreme (even though I try and ignore it).

Posted on 30/11/2022 21:07

I agree about the personal remarks. 

It's not a problem but surely those that use club sites more and will continue should have perhaps more to contribute than those who don't and in some cases not at all?

For the former it's their future holidays that will be affected while for the latter it's just an academic discussion? Just my point of view.

At the end of the day the club will decide but I would hope they listen to those that do use them? But then again it will probably do what is the better financial option, ie makes more money.

 

replied on 30/11/2022 22:18

Posted on 30/11/2022 22:18

Content has been removed.

peedee replied on 01/12/2022 07:49

Posted on 01/12/2022 07:49

So is spending £3m plus and really more, an investment? No answer to that yet?

I take it you mean in monetary terms since you accept there are the benefits of a fairer system and cost control. With the latter also comes better budgeting. There may well be extra income to be obtain if meter installation encourages more site usage or on the other hand it might discourage it. This needs to be tested along with operational factors which is probably why the Club, as with ANPR,  wishes to go down the the less expensive route of trials to test the water. The expenditure of millions is a long way off.

peedee

replied on 01/12/2022 08:09

Posted on 01/12/2022 08:09

The user and all related content has been Deleted User
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