UK sites with metered electricity

I believe installation testing is much more involved than the simple portable appliance testing (PAT). I think it varies over time with more investigative testing as the installation ages - a bit like car servicing varying from basic to major.

Our worst next door was a brand new caravan, twin axle, on our favourite CL. They blew our bollard four times first night. Next morning I went round to see if they were alright. I asked what they were using, it was a tad chilly, so CH was on full blast, kettle was a big domestic, large TV, gadgets charging, toaster was out, and they had no gas so using only electric hot plate. The Glade Plug In caught my eye as well. They hadn’t got a clue really. CL owner was tearing her hair out, had to get electrician out to check everything. They left next day, we had no further problems. They just needed a bit of help really, but how much they took onboard I wasn’t sure. Like AD, we can happily manage easily on 6amps if we have to, and still remain, warm, comfortable, clean and entertained.

Metered electricity is a real dilemma in the UK.

First of all, I believe the campsite can't charge a premium for electricity. You can't resell at a higher rate than cost.

Electricity in the UK is about 20p per unit whereas on the continent it's usual to pay around 50p per unit metered (double the cost).

That makes it difficult to recover installation costs in UK.

Any meter system for large sites would need to be remote readings linked to the site's invoicing system. Feasible but more up front costs.

Then I guess more would migrate to Safefill which works out about 15p per unit of energy.

Lots of stuff to consider. At the moment, personally we expect a pitch with hookup to be a few quid more and we can use it ad lib.

If metered we'll just move to gas...

Using the large number of pitches or large number of sites as an excuse to justify doing nothing is pathetic. I read the Q&A report too, and it is a disgrace.

If the club is operating 10,000 pitches on 200 sites, the total cost will be huge - the total carbon footprint will too. The club should be transparent and publish some data so that we can all see how much electricity is being used through the year on all the sites. Then set a target for reduction and get started on it.  The club should invite volunteers  (people with knowledge about the subject and people with experience of these types of projects) from the membership to form a series of working groups. Many of us have worked in private industry where this type of work is common place. Doing nothing is not an option in my opinion.

I am out of touch with Club sites but are they all equipped with solar panels on roofs now and can that be extended to other parts of the sites to generate more power? 

Not all but I've seen a number, also solar powered lights are more common.

I can’t recall seeing any, but then our Club Site visits are very limited. Most I have seen in terms of a nod to environment is a few different recycling bins, some low level lighting and possibly movement detectors on lights in loos. Club possibly kills a tree every day with all paperwork it hands out to new arrivals. 🤨

Doing nothing is not an option in my opinion.

It's hard to break a habit of a lifetime though.

I absolutely agree with you OB.

All good stuff - really I'm not disputing that, but where will the money come from? You might be happy with higher pitch fees (or less refurbishments or new sites) but other might stop using the club sites and go to cheaper sites

The club is a business, no money no sites. Until the club is forced to do anything that is the bottom line?

The cost savings to the club could be considerable if excessive utility usage was acted upon.