In an era when environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, a Basingstoke company is pushing the boundaries of how the energy sector operates.
Founded in 2016, Tomato Energy is working to reshape the way people consume and manage energy.
Under CEO Farouk Alhassan, Tomato Energy is developing innovative solutions aimed at helping individuals and communities adopt sustainable lifestyles with ease.
The company’s mission is to make energy management a seamless part of daily life through the use of technology, making sustainability both achievable and affordable.
"We are looking to make it easy for people to lead a sustainable lifestyle," Mr Alhassan said.
"We want people to use technology to facilitate the energy transition."
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One of Tomato Energy’s most groundbreaking innovations lies in its ability to automate energy management for its customers.
Mr Alhassan describes how most energy companies simply offer an app for monitoring energy usage, but Tomato Energy goes a step further by automating decision-making.
"We are best placed to know what would be the price of electricity on the grid, what the weather forecast is, and we combine all of that to decide when it's the best time to charge your car or battery," he said.
"Our goal is to make it easy for you to live a sustainable lifestyle so you can get on with your life."
The company uses "smart tariffs" that take advantage of fluctuating energy prices throughout the day.
This allows customers to maximise their savings by charging electric vehicles or using energy-hungry appliances when electricity is cheapest.
"At the moment, you pay for what you use at a flat rate, but as the wind blows and the sun shines, the price of electricity changes. We give you the flexibility to benefit from that changing energy landscape," the CEO said.
Despite its current trajectory, Tomato Energy started humbly in a small office in Basingstoke, with just five employees.
"We started building technology to allow people to lead a sustainable lifestyle. That was the essence of the business," Mr Alhassan said.
The founders' vision, however, was grander than just technology for sustainability.
Their plan was to revolutionise the energy industry by offering a comprehensive platform that allowed both individuals and businesses to transition smoothly into a greener future.
Today, Tomato Energy has expanded its reach significantly, now serving over 12,000 domestic customers, with a strong footing in the commercial market as well.
While technology drives the core of Tomato Energy’s offerings, the company is equally committed to building strong local communities.
"We are really focused on engaging with specific local communities to bring out the benefits of sustainable energy solutions," said Helen McCarren, Tomato Energy's head of community marketing.
Mr Alhassan envisions a future where communities like Basingstoke are self-sufficient in terms of energy.
"Imagine Basingstoke in 20 or 30 years—solar panels on every roof, a community battery, buildings embedded with energy storage solutions. We can start creating that utopian version now," he said.
One of the key pillars of Tomato Energy’s community model is its innovative solar and battery installation plan.
The company offers customers the option to install solar panels and batteries for a fixed monthly payment, typically around £80.
At the end of the contract, customers own the equipment outright, allowing them to generate and store their electricity at no additional cost.
This model has been a game changer for those who might otherwise be priced out of solar technology.
“One of the key things that puts people off solar is the upfront cost," said Ms McCarren.
"With our package, you can get solar panels and a battery for no more than what you'd be paying for electricity anyway. It’s a bit of a no-brainer.”
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Like any innovative company, Tomato Energy faces its fair share of challenges.
The UK’s volatile energy market has been one of the biggest hurdles, especially during the recent energy crisis.
But Tomato Energy has weathered the storm, in part due to its commitment to technology-driven efficiency.
Looking ahead, Tomato Energy plans to scale its community model to other areas across the UK, creating what Mr Alhassan refers to as 'Tomatopias'—self-sustaining communities built around renewable energy.
"We don't want to stop in the UK. We can go to other countries and create more Tomatopias," he added.
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