Since the programme’s launch in spring this year, BEE has already supported 36 SMEs to help cut their carbon and identified over £200,000 in savings.
Using funding secured from the European Regional Development Fund, BEE offers a free service to help organisations identify energy saving opportunities. Businesses can also invest in capital projects that implement energy efficiency measures, with grants available up to a maximum of £20,000.
One of BEE’s recent beneficiaries, Web2market Ltd in Huntingdon, replaced its remaining traditional energy intensive fittings with LED lights following recommendations made by the programme. This has led to a predicted carbon reduction of 0.47 tonnes CO2e and estimated cost savings of over 10% in their energy bills.
Nigel White, Director at the company, explains: “Web2market has benefitted from the impartial energy advice and guidance provided by BEE. The analysis made financial decisions easier, ideas that we hadn’t thought of were evaluated and good suppliers were signposted. We carried out the work and are enjoying the benefits; recommended!”
Another beneficiary, Cambridge Sensotec, is estimated to see a carbon reduction of 9.9 tonnes CO2e and cost savings of £1,870: “The energy survey report was accurate and comprehensive and we are already in the process of actioning some of the recommendations,” says Mark Swetnam, Managing Director.
The project is being delivered by the charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), in partnership with Groundwork and Nwes.
BEE’s grant funding pot is limited and only available for a fixed period of time, so businesses are being encouraged to get in touch to find out if they are eligible sooner rather than later! To find out more and to register your interest, please visit www.beecp.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01733 882549.
About Business Energy Efficiency Cambridge & Peterborough
The Business Energy Efficiency Cambridge & Peterborough programme (BEECP) aims to provide support and grants to small businesses to help catalyse investment in energy efficiency initiatives, to reduce carbon emissions and realise the associated business benefits including; reduced operating costs, increased competitiveness, business growth and resilience.
The project is offering two strands of support to help businesses improve energy efficiency:
- Energy Reviews - A fully funded on-site review to help identify, prioritise and quantify opportunities for cost and carbon savings for businesses. Additional support will be available to help businesses identify specific solutions and products, with detailed feasibility studies as required.
- Capital Grants - Qualifying businesses may be able to apply for a capital grant – up to a maximum of 25% or £20,000, whichever is the lower - to help catalyse investment in products and solutions that will reduce energy use.
The project is bringing together experienced organisations and energy efficiency practitioners, led by the charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), and delivered in partnership with Nwes and Groundwork.
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For more information, visit www.beecp.co.uk.
European Regional Development Fund
The project is receiving up to £1,368,576 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help 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