Business Emissions Saving Scheme

The Business Emissions Saving Scheme (previously Business Energy Saving Scheme) has been relaunched with a number of improvements around increased funding and wider energy efficiency projects.

Overview

The Scheme offers two forms of support. Applicants can apply for a grant towards 75% of the cost of an energy audit up to a maximum of £5,000 and can also apply for an interest free loan towards energy efficiency or emissions reducing projects. To access loan support it’s compulsory that applicants have received and submit a copy of their energy audit, either one received through grant aspect of the Scheme or their own energy audit which has been completed by a suitably qualified professional using certain software. Should you wish to only receive a grant application for an energy audit and not progress with the loan aspect you are able to do so.

Benefits

• 100% unsecured interest-free loans
• Recently extended eligibility criteria
• Flexible repayment plans are available.

Features

• 100% interest-free unsecured loans towards the cost of energy efficiency or emissions reducing projects
• 75% grant up to £5,000 towards an energy audit to outline suitable projects
• Financial assistance starting from £1,000 up to £100,000, dependent on business size and sector; and
• Five-year payback period.

Types of projects covered

A wide range of energy efficiency projects are eligible for support, including (but not limited to) the following: -

• Low energy lighting systems & lighting controls;
• Low carbon boilers (subject to the Department’s satisfaction);
• Electric boilers;
• Heating controls;
• Replacement windows;
• Replacement external doors;
• Insulation upgrades;
• Pipe insulation;
• Solar photovoltaic panels *Subject to MUA approval and CCTT concurrence. Applications will be determined on a case by case basis linked to the carbon savings achieved by the project;
• Solar thermal water heating systems;
• Heat recovery systems including ground and air source heat pumps;
• Wind turbines *Subject to receiving the necessary Planning and MUA permissions;
• Bicycle storage;
• Installation of shower facilities in commercial premises;
• Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points; and
• Any other measures (which are not listed above) at the discretion of the Department. The support of additional measures not listed above may require Climate Change Transformation Team concurrence.

Funding

Loan funding through the Scheme is available ranging from £1,000 up to a maximum £100,000, tiered as follows: -

• Up to £50,000 for businesses of all sizes
• £50,000 to £75,000 businesses require more than 10 employees
• £75,000 to £100,000 businesses require more than 25 employees

Eligibility

The business must meet the Enterprise Act 2008 (Eligible Business) Regulations 2018 to be deemed an ‘eligible business’.

Eligible businesses in all sectors are able to apply for the Scheme with the caveats listed below.

Note: Businesses in the sectors listed below must have fewer than 25 employees to be eligible for support: -

• E-gaming;
• Financial services including but not restricted to: -
  • Accountancy services;
  • Banking;
  • Fund industry including managers and administrators;
  • Insurance;
  • Legal services;
  • Life Assurance;
  • Other financial services; and
  • Trust and corporate service providers.
• ICT and digital.

The following sectors and organisations are excluded from receiving support: -

• Utilities companies (including gas and telecoms);
• Public administration;
• Local authorities;
• Any retailer that is liable to pay or will be liable to pay income tax at a 10% rate under the
  large retailers’ tax for the 2020/21 income tax year; and
• Any constituent entity of a MNE group under the Income Tax (Country-by-Country Reporting) Regulations 2017 (total consolidated group revenue of 750 million Euro or more).

All applicants must complete an application form, along with supplying the necessary information as outlined in the Scheme Guidance.