Typical cold storage energy consumption
Consumption depends heavily on temperature band, with frozen storage below minus 18 degrees requiring considerably more energy per cubic metre than chilled storage typically held between 0 and 5 degrees.
| Facility type | Electricity (kWh/yr) | Gas (kWh/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Small chilled storage unit | 150,000 - 400,000 | 0 - 20,000 |
| Medium chilled/frozen mixed facility | 400,000 - 1,200,000 | 0 - 40,000 |
| Large frozen distribution centre | 1,200,000 - 3,000,000+ | 0 - 60,000 |
What drives the cost
- Compressor plant maintaining chilled or frozen temperature continuously
- Building insulation quality, which directly affects how hard refrigeration plant must work
- Door openings and loading bay activity, which introduce warm air requiring re-cooling
- Defrost cycles on freezer units, which use additional energy periodically
- Backup power and monitoring systems required to protect stored product
Temperature band and consumption impact
Frozen storage typically uses noticeably more electricity per cubic metre of storage space than chilled storage, since maintaining sub-zero temperatures against ambient heat gain requires significantly more compressor work. Facilities with mixed chilled and frozen sections should have consumption assessed by zone where possible.
Continuous flat demand profile
Refrigeration plant does not switch off outside trading hours, meaning cold storage facilities show one of the flattest demand profiles of any commercial sector, with limited daily variation compared with sectors driven by occupancy or trading hours.
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Standing charges and half-hourly metering
Given the scale and consistency of demand, almost all cold storage facilities beyond the smallest units are on half-hourly electricity settlement, and standing charges are typically higher than for an equivalent ambient warehouse, reflecting the substantial connection capacity required.
Contract length and renewal timing
One to three year fixed contracts are common, with some larger operators using longer terms or flexible purchasing to manage exposure to wholesale price movements given the scale of consumption involved. Renewal comparisons should begin 4 to 6 months ahead of contract expiry.
How to compare cold storage energy prices
- Provide half-hourly consumption data broken down by temperature zone if available
- Confirm insulation standard and age of refrigeration plant
- Check standing charge and capacity requirements given continuous high demand
- Consider flexible purchasing arrangements for very large or multi-site operators