Energy efficiency funding for businesses that has escaped austerity measures

Asides from the recently headline hitting Feed-in-Tariffs, there are still a number of funding and support schemes available to businesses that are keen to improve their energy efficiency and reduce costs. For the time strapped business it is about knowing where to look!
 
Renewable Heat Incentives are payments for organisations that generate heat for their premises and hot water through their own renewable energy system (Feed-in-Tariffs are payment for renewable electricity generation). Payments are per metered kWh of heat generated and eligible technologies include biomass boilers, solar thermal panels and ground source heat pumps. www.decc.gov.uk/rhi

Enhanced capital allowances are a form of tax relief for investment in energy (or water) efficient equipment. Businesses are able to write off the full purchase and installation cost against their taxable profit in the financial year they made the investment. Loss making companies can also claim a payment from the government.  A list of eligible technologies, which includes boilers, lighting and pipework insulation, can be found at http://etl.decc.gov.uk.

Sustainable Routes is a European funded project which provides grants of 33%, up to £1,000, of the cost of projects that reduce transport related CO2 emissions. Video conferencing equipment, bike shelters and vehicles conversions are all eligible. www.sustainableroutes.co.uk

To promote the uptake of electric and low carbon vehicles the government has introduced a 20% grant, up to £8,000, for businesses purchasing a van with ultra-low emissions. Eligible vehicles can be found at: www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/plug-in-van-grant

Though Low Carbon Essentials, also European funded, businesses can take advantage of a free energy audit of their premises or a feasibility study to see if their site is suitable for renewable energy, or attend a UTILISE Workshop. UTILISE helps businesses understand their bills and find areas for savings at their premises through energy, waste and water management. A course is being held in Brighton on the 15th May. www.utilise.org.uk

STEM is an environmental management system (EMS) accreditation scheme. An EMS is a documented approach to identifying and improving environmental performance. STEM is free for small and medium sized businesses until end 2012 and achieving Blue, Silver or Gold accreditation is a great way to demonstrate environmental commitment, for such as public sector tenders. http://tinyurl.com/STEM-EMS

Rowan Wallis
West Sussex Sustainable Business Partnership CIC
www.sustainablebusiness.org.uk