Reducing Carbon Emissions in SMEs

The project helps local businesses to produce CO₂ footprint reports and to consider measures to respond to climate change.

Small-To-Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the greater Leicester area can receive advice and guidance free of charge on increasing their energy efficiency, incorporating renewable energy into their buildings and addressing the general issues surrounding climate change in the economic community.

The project also encourages the take-up of intelligent metering for the monitoring of utilities (gas, electric and water). Intelligent Metering allows businesses to see exactly how much energy is being used at any one time. This information can be viewed electronically over the internet and not only identifies wasted energy but also ensures that you are not being overcharged. Previous companies who have intelligent metering installed have not only seen a 10-15% drop in energy consumption but have also used this information to negotiate their fuel tariffs for future years.

Assistance for installing intelligent metering comes in the form of a grant to part-fund the installation. Information gathered about energy consumtpion is collected automatically and will be used to identify possible savings opportunities.

The Energy Management team at the Energy Efficiency Centre provides a bureau service for those businesses with intelligent metering installed. This involves monitoring consumption on a regular basis over the lifetime of the project (until 31st March 2012) and reporting unusual consumption or energy/water saving opportunities to the business.

The project also offers free staff training to businesses based on the information gathered from the metering data. Help can be given to SMEs to prepare a Climate Change Action Plan through the Leicester City Council scheme Climate Change: What's Your Plan. This identifies energy champions within businesses to implement energy recommendations.

We will also help you implement energy saving measures and assist with tackling any other energy related issues within the company. We have a team of advisors available to offer assistance as required including finding and applying for grants to implement measures to reduce energy use.

For more information please email info@energyagency.co.uk or phone 0116 262 4698

This project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Criteria for the Project:

Businesses must be located in the Greater Leicester area. This is mainly Leicester City but can include the neighbouring areas such as Oadby & Wigston, Thurmaston and Glenfield.
Businesses must fall under the EU definition of a small-to-medium sized enterprise - generally under 250 employees.
Unfortunately, due to EU specifications this project cannot assist businesses which are solely retail, banking or insurance services.
Businesses must have been trading for at least 12 months before participating in the project.

The Reducing Carbon Emissions in SMEs project Launch Event will be held at 12pm on Friday 12th June at the Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester.