Since 1 October 2026, the Academy Trust Handbook requires Trusts to use the Department for Education’s (DfE) Energy for Schools service or a DfE-approved deal for energy procurement, unless they can demonstrate that an alternative offers equivalent value for money. The requirement applies at the next contract renewal, with the DfE recommending benchmarking at least 12 months before contracts expire.
For Trusts reviewing their options, Zenergi has developed a practical evaluation template to help demonstrate compliance while supporting informed procurement decisions.
The template includes a plain-English summary of the relevant handbook requirements, a comparison of three compliant procurement routes and a weighted evaluation framework covering annual costs, contract terms, services, risk and budget certainty.
It also provides an audit-trail checklist of the evidence expected by the DfE, including the SRMSAC declaration, alongside suggested minute wording to support decisions by Finance or Audit and Risk Committees and trustees.
The template helps trusts assess available options fairly, verify provider information and document their rationale for choosing a procurement route.
To run through a copy of the template or discuss your next energy renewal, contact the Zenergi team.