21/07/2022 - Permalink

News from our partners: Scheme helps businesses cut their carbon footprint

Related topics: Climate change / environment / Economic growth / Partner organisations

News from our partners Worcestershire County Council

Over the last three years, 3,034 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved by businesses across Worcestershire and the Marches thanks to Worcestershire County Council’s Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP) programme.

Since the project started in April 2019, the project has supported 415 businesses and has awarded £1.36 million in grants.

The Business Energy Efficiency Programme offers grants up to £20,000 to businesses in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Shropshire, for energy efficiency improvements.

The programme has helped businesses not only reduce energy consumption but has also helped them to save money and improve productivity.

Energy saving projects that the grant can help fun includes things like the installation of more energy efficient motion sensor lighting, heating, boilers, LED lighting, energy management, electric forklift & machinery, systems to offer better use of heat and energy efficient equipment. A full list of projects the grant covers can be found via the website.

Jon Higson of Mail Solutions Group, a local business who have recently been supported through the Business Energy Efficiency Programme, said:-

“With the help of BEEP we replaced an old inefficient compressor, and the day after installation we saw a reduction in our energy usage.”

Councillor Richard Morris, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment, at Worcestershire County Council, said:-

“I am so proud of what our Clean Growth Team have achieved so far through the BEEP programme. The programme offers a great opportunity for businesses to get ahead of the curve with their sustainability journey. Cutting emissions is not only beneficial to the environment, but also to the business as doing so can reduce energy bills, generate efficiencies, and improve the working environment.

“If your business is planning a project to reduce carbon emissions, the BEEP programme is here to help. I would urge all eligible businesses to look at the programme to see if we can help.”

The programme is available to businesses throughout Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Shropshire.

For more information and the full eligibility please visit, https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20289/business_energy_efficiency_programme

In addition to BEEP, the Council’s Clean Growth team also offer other programmes to support businesses reduce their environmental impact:

  • The Low Carbon Opportunities Programme (LOCOP) provides up to £50,000 for businesses in Worcestershire and Shropshire towards the installation of renewable energy projects, including solar PV, biomass, and heat pumps.
  • LOCOP offer a separate innovation strand which supports businesses in the clean tech innovation sector or those who wanted to diversify into this area, through the development of low carbon technologies which will help others to be green.
  • Zero Carbon Ready Worcestershire, is a pilot programme offering free specialist decarbonisation advice and assessments as well as the chance to receive 50% off the installation of smart meters to organisations across Worcestershire.

Further information

The Business Energy Efficiency Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is administered by Worcestershire County Council in partnership with Herefordshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council, Worcestershire’s six district councils, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Shropshire Chambers of Commerce.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

The extension to BEEP is receiving up to £2,161,050 of funding and £1,624,328 to LOCOP from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.