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Introduction
According to a recent survey by PwC, over 77% of businesses from a broad range of industry sectors stated that they had to raise the price of their products and services over the past 2 years due to continued escalation of commercial energy costs in the UK. 81% of respondents also stated that they expect that further energy price hikes will mean additional passing on of costs to their customers and clients over the next 2 years. One of the main issues is that over half of businesses stated that a key barrier to bringing bills down was that they were unable to identify immediate cost effective solutions to reduce energy usage for their operations.
With the ever increasing levels of commercial energy bills and also environmental regulatory compliance in some sectors there are many businesses looking to work towards Net Zero targets by 2030 and therefore increase their overall energy efficiency and reduce their costs. There are many energy efficiency solutions available to businesses of all sizes and it is often the case that there are local Net Zero support organisations who can carry out a free business energy audit in order to identify areas of high energy use in a business and outline potential solutions that can be implemented to reduce this usage.
Once a business has identified the most feasible solutions for energy efficiency improvements at their business, they will need to get quotes from multiple providers who can install the equipment so they can get the best price. In many cases for small businesses these costs will still be quite high and in some cases off-putting in the current tough economic climate. However, there are grants available from the Government and local authorities and carbon reduction support organisations that can help meet some of the costs to help push a business towards Net Zero and in the long run save overall business energy costs.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Business Energy Efficiency Grants Available?
i) Energy Pilot Grant Scheme
Aberdeen City Council is providing funding for local businesses to undertake energy-saving upgrades. Eligible costs include renewable energy installations, energy efficient equipment, building improvements and other carbon-reducing initiatives. Up to £10,000 in funding per applicant is available.
Application Deadline: 15th December 2024
ii) South Ribble Business Energy Efficiency (BEE) Scheme
South Ribble Borough Council is providing fully funded energy audits and grant funding worth up to £500 to help businesses reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint. The grant can be used to fund capital expenditure on specified equipment identified by an energy audit as reducing energy use/costs and delivering a contribution to carbon reduction.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
iii) Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Westminster
The City of Westminster Council scheme aims to help SMEs to implement quick, energy-saving retrofits and solutions. Successful applicants will receive a bespoke ‘Mabbett Energy Savings Plan’ to identify recommendations to reduce energy consumption and will have the opportunity to apply for a grant to deliver the recommendations from their plan. Up to £10,000 per business is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2025
iv) Larger Energy Grants for Business
Islington Council is providing financial support to businesses for larger infrastructure works that will improve the energy efficiency of their premises and minimise its carbon emissions. Funding worth up to £10,000 per business is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
v) Net Zero Fund
St Albans City and District Council is providing a scheme that aims to support sustainability projects linked to transport and energy improvements. Examples of eligible projects can include energy efficiency improvements to buildings and projects to increase use of electric vehicles and encourage active travel. Funding of up to £20,000 is available per project.
Application Deadline: 30th October 2024
vi) Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund 2024-25
The Energy Saving Trust is providing funding to help micro firms, who operate within Scotland’s four low emission zones, to retrofit their non-compliant vehicles with Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme approved solutions. Funding worth up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
vii) Business Energy Services for Wiltshire SMEs
Severn Wye and Wiltshire County Council is providing SMEs with free energy efficiency surveys to help them decarbonise their business and save money on their energy bills. Applicants can also access funding to support the implementation of measures recommended in their survey. Funding worth up to £30,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis
viii) Ashford Rural Energy Transition Grant
Ashford Borough Council is providing a scheme that aims to facilitate energy transition projects. The funding will support the purchase and installation of alternative energy sourcing equipment that will help businesses to improve their carbon footprint. Up to £15,000 is available per applicant.
Application Deadline: 31st October 2024
How To Apply For Energy Efficiency Business Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to energy efficiency advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Business Energy Efficiency Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK business energy efficiency funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/
