Preparing for an unpredictable increase in fuel demand this winter

Published: 22 November 2022

By: Russell Rhodes, Business Development Manager

We have all seen the headlines that rolling blackouts could be imposed on the UK this winter.

Now, more so than ever, your business needs to be prepared for the unpredictable increase in fuel demand.

With the seasonal agricultural demand for red diesel now easing, the focus shifts towards the increased demand for supply of white diesel for backup generators.

Given the risk of potential winter blackouts, this demand could be higher and more sporadic, so preparation is key to ensure your business continuity and customer support.

The solutions

Extra storage space

Converting former red diesel storage tanks into white diesel storage allows for greater stock holdings of the more in-demand product and further strengthens your resilience to ensure the needs of your clients are fulfilled.

Fuel uplift and buy-back

Should you have surplus red diesel stocks, now would be a good time to consider selling on this stock to increase capacity for storing white diesel.

We offer a red diesel buy-back scheme that could help you recoup some of the costs and free up the much needed storage space.

Fuel testing

Even small amounts of water in a tank system can create a maintenance nightmare for your customers from biological activity, such as increased corrosion, blocked filters, lower pump flow rates, or total failure.

Testing your fuel regularly will be essential, especially as it might be unclear how long you will need to store it for.

We can also provide fuel polishing to ensure your product is kept as pristine as possible.

Tank cleaning

It is important to clean your tanks if you are switching from red to white diesel to mitigate any onward contamination for you or your clients’ assets.

If microbial contamination has occurred in your white diesel stores, we can uplift the fuel from your tank, perform a thorough clean of the tank’s internals to remove any contaminates, and then polish the fuel back into the cleaned tank.

Fuel storage maintenance

When storing liquid fuel, it is important to ensure all your assets are in good working order to reduce the risk of an environmental incident or contamination.

You should check the integrity of your tank and bund, ensure you have an up-to-date drainage plan, and ensure your separators are in good working order.

We offer a full turnkey solution for your fuel storage assets, from inspection and testing, to maintenance and remediation, to ensure your assets remain compliant through the winter and beyond.

Security

Due to the current high value of white diesel, there could be a higher risk of theft and attempted theft.

Remote monitoring telemetry systems, as well as security measures such as CCTV will help you manage the security of your higher value assets.

Theft can also inadvertently cause a spill of product, which can cause downtime to your operation and could result in financial fines and reputational damage. We can offer a 24/7 365 spill response contract meaning a spill can quickly and effectively be remediated.

Emergency fuel supply

Having a partner on hand that can provide emergency fuel will ensure you can always service your customers, protecting your reputation in the industry.

Plan for success

This winter will certainly be challenging for most sectors.

As fuel distributors, planning now will ensure you can focus on supporting your customers through an unpredictable winter.

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