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Introduction
According to a recent survey from SEFE Energy of 500 UK energy decision-makers, the industrial sector had the highest number of respondents who plan to reduce emissions over the next 12 months, with 42% of businesses who cited this as their main energy goal. Around 38% of healthcare and 28% of retail businesses also plan to reduce their carbon emissions this year.
Industry is the most energy intensive sector which factors in significantly to their overall business costs and survey respondents are exploring a number of routes to reduce emissions and energy usage.
The top 3 areas of support and improvement businesses in industry are seeking are:
- 74% of industrial companies believe they would benefit from external advice on the best measures to improve energy efficiency
- 71% are looking at adopting AI powered energy solutions to help improve efficiency
- 44% want to improve their understanding of their energy consumption through data analytics
There are a number of Government backed fully funded energy audits available for businesses in the UK to help advise them on the best course of action to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy usage and lower their carbon footprint. Recommended energy efficiency improvements from these audits can then be partially or fully funded by grants and loans. Funding and energy audits are typically administered to businesses by providers in their local areas, such as councils, business enterprise support organisations and industry specialists. Eligible costs for grants and loans can include the purchase of green capital equipment, renewable energy options, access to clean transportation and energy efficient building materials and infrastructure.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Business Energy Efficiency Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Zero Carbon Business Grant
Uttlesford District Council is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed scheme for pubs and hospitality businesses in the local area that can apply for funding to support capital investments that will reduce their energy costs, reduce their carbon footprint and cut carbon emissions and protect the planet. Eligible costs include the purchase of new energy efficient cooking equipment and retrofitting buildings to enhance their energy efficiency and sustainability. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 27th February 2026
ii) Business Energy Advice Service
Business Growth West Midlands is running a programme that provides fully funded energy assessments and match-funded grants to help businesses improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs. The scheme includes a thorough review of business premises, covering machinery, equipment, lighting and ventilation, to identify the key factors driving energy use and waste and practical recommendations for replacing inefficient processes, systems. Grants for the efficiency equipment measures are available in some regions within the West Midlands. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Low Carbon Grants
Low Carbon Dorset is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed scheme providing energy assessments and grants for businesses to help them deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Funding is available to take steps to improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy, and save money on bills. Funding up to £75,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Net Zero Growth Grant Scheme
Bolsover District Council is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund back scheme that aims to support decarbonisation projects leading to job creation and retention. Eligible costs can include physical improvements to support decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures of buildings and adoption of new technologies and processes to support carbon reduction. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
v) Business Development Grant
Derbyshire Dales District Council is running a scheme where businesses can apply for funding to support investments which will assist business diversification, growth, adaptation and long term resilience. Eligible expenditure for energy efficiency includes specialist consultancy services, adoption of more efficient production processes and capital expenditure to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the business. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th February 2026
vi) UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Carbon Reduction Grants
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is running a scheme that will support carbon reduction projects including, but not limited to, the installation of low/zero carbon energy infrastructure such as solar panels and wind turbines, the installation of energy efficient lighting and the installation of energy efficient boilers. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Towards Net Zero
Inverclyde Council is running a scheme providing funding to help businesses meet specific business growth objectives in the journey towards net zero. A fully funded energy audit must be conducted before an application can be submitted. Funding of up to £5,000 is available for project costs up to £10,000 and up to £10,000 is available for project costs over £10,000.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Large Energy Efficiency Grant for Small Business
Islington Council is running a UK Shared Prosperity Fund backed scheme providing financial support to small businesses for large infrastructure works that will improve the energy efficiency of their premises and minimise its carbon emissions. Eligible costs include replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump, installing solar photovoltaic or other larger measures including insulation projects. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Business Energy Efficiency Funding 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 individuals and businesses can speak to funding 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 energy efficiency funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/