Decision-maker scenarios
Energy decisions for boards and chairs
What should a board understand before approving an energy decision?
The board should understand the decision, exposure, accountable owner and evidence quality—not operate the procurement. Material contracts and projects need clear strategic fit, downside cases and post-decision reporting.
Written by Energy Guide editorial team · Specialist review: Pending · Source checked:
Ask what is being approved
Distinguish a supply contract, broker appointment, capital project, lease, PPA, operational programme or compliance response. Each has different obligations and evidence.
Test accountability and downside
Require a named owner and explain what happens if consumption, market prices, site tenure, connection timing or savings differ from plan.
- Total commitment and duration
- Decision authority and conflicts
- Material assumptions and independent checks
- Operational and reputational dependencies
- Exit and change provisions
- Benefits measurement and reporting
- Trigger for board reapproval
Set the reporting expectation
Agree what the board will see after approval: contract delivery, budget variance, project milestones, realised savings, incidents and decisions that have changed.
Sources
These sources support the explanation above. Check the linked source for current rules and eligibility.