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Get to know tem.energy with Co-Founder & CEO Joe McDonald
tem has set out to revolutionise the way energy is bought and sold – why is it so crucial for organisations to move away from a reliance on “Big Energy”?
"Because the majority of UK businesses aren’t winning in today’s energy system. They're paying up to 25% more on top of the raw cost of power, they're locked out of decision-making, and they're forced to rely on a market that serves big energy players, not them - the customer.
The way we buy energy is still tied to a system designed over 40 years ago - when oil and gas dominated - and the market was built around their interests. But that's not where we are now. Today’s prices are still determined by fossil fuel-linked trading systems, where the cost of renewables is driven by speculation, geopolitical shocks and outdated pricing logic. That's why we set out to build an alternative to buying through the wholesale market for the 99% of businesses that need access to affordable energy now more than ever."
Your RED solution seeks to cut out middlemen and hidden fees for companies looking to run on renewables. Could you break down how this works for us?
"We’ve replaced the broken bits of the market transaction with something that is both fit for customers and the future. Our AI-powered platform strips out the inefficiencies, middlemen, and markups that are baked into today’s wholesale system. RED connects businesses and renewable generators directly, enabling transparent energy transactions at a fraction of the usual cost. Over 1,000 British businesses, from stadiums and schools to manufacturers and hotels, are already benefiting from RED, our affordable, stable solution. We’re also proud to be supporting our growing network of renewable generators unlock higher earnings for their generation than a traditional utility."
tem will be taking part in the panel discussion “Taking a Whole Systems Approach to the Transition” at this year’s Energy Forum. What insights are you looking to share with our audience? And what are you hoping to gain out of your participation in the wider event?
"We’re showing up to be the voice of a solution, not to talk more around the problem. Truth is, we can’t deliver a fair energy transition without transforming the transaction itself. We need to look at how energy moves, how it’s priced, who profits, and who’s left out. If we keep relying on volatile, fossil-fuel linked pricing and hiding costs behind layers of middlemen, the system stays exactly what it is: extractive, unstable, and anything but sovereign.
We want to listen as much as we speak. So we're really looking forward to connecting with partners, especially generators, who believe, like us, that the future of energy relies on access to stable, transparent and affordable pricing."
Joe McDonald, Co-Founder & CEO, tem.energy