Eastern New Energy Programme

SWITCH ON TO SAVINGS

It’s a challenging time for the business community with a vast array of different issues to address including, labour and skill shortages, increasing raw material costs and supply chain issues. However, it is soaring energy prices and growing uncertainty around the security of supply, that is driving more and more businesses to seek out advice and support to better manage their energy use and identify ways to become more efficient. Add to that increasing demands from key customers to contribute towards addressing climate change and work towards becoming net zero, and arguably, managing energy has never been more crucial.

OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO DECARBONISATION

Thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), eligible small and medium-sized businesses across Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk have been able to access support from the Eastern New Energy (ENE) Programme, led by the University of East London (UEL). The Eastern New Energy Programme’s main goal is to remove the barriers that prevent the rapid decarbonisation of local communities, business operations, buildings, and transport systems. The programme works with a range of stakeholders including businesses, councils, community organisations, and even individual households. From a business perspective the programme offers support to: - Develop and deliver Net Zero action plans - Switch vehicle fleets to lower carbon alternatives - Design, develop and bring to market new low carbon products and services Specific support available to eligible businesses includes energy audits and Net Zero focused workshops. More details on the full range of support can be accessed at https://www.uel.ac.uk/our-research/ sustainability-research-institute-sri/ eastern-new-energy-project or by emailing ene@uel.ac.uk

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

A key element of the support available to businesses through Eastern New Energy is the SME Grant Scheme that is facilitated on behalf of UEL by the Peterborough based sustainability charity PECT. The grant scheme has been helping businesses to secure financial support to invest in low carbon and energy-efficient measures, such as LED lighting and solar PV. To date over £1 million of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects have received an offer of grant funding support, including those that will facilitate an additional 0.911 GWh of solar PV capacity in the region. If eligible for funding projects can qualify for 20-25 per cent of capital costs, subject to the level of energy savings likely to be secured. “Now is the time to invest in low carbon technology whilst funding is still available. Businesses have a huge role to play in creating a cleaner, greener future. Not only does investing in technology such as LED lights have a positive impact on your carbon

footprint, but it is financially beneficial as well; making it a worthwhile investment.” “For smaller businesses, it can be difficult to find the funding to invest in new technology, and PECT is delighted to be supporting the University of East London to provide a solution to help bridge this gap through the ENE Grant Scheme,” says Carly Leonard, PECT CEO.

SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS

St Ives based business, Direct Communications Radio Services Limited (DCRS) were awarded a £2,234 grant towards replacing their existing light fittings with more energy-efficient LEDs. The project will deliver estimated annual cost savings of around £3,164 and carbon savings of around 6.1 tonnes. Michael Price, Accounts Manager at DCRS, explains: “The process to apply for a grant was simple and straightforward. Clear instructions and advice were given at every stage to ensure a smooth path for our project to be completed.”

LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

As the scheme enters its last few months of operation, the Peterborough based ENE Grants Team are keen to hear from businesses looking to invest less than £25,000 and support them to navigate the application process. Currently, the final date for applications to be considered by the Eastern New Energy Programme’s Grants Panel is 19 August 2022, meaning applications need to be underway no later than 3 August 2022. “There are many organisational benefits to investing in energy efficiency solutions or renewable energy technologies,” explains Antony Gough, ENE Grant Scheme Project Manager. “This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to access expert assistance and funding to implement effective energy efficiency measures. Our funding pot is limited, and with only a few months left before the scheme closes, we’d urge businesses to get in touch today, so they don’t miss out.” Interest in the grant scheme has increased significantly since the start of 2022, as businesses start to experience significant cost increases and realise the grant scheme is soon due to end. Any business who may be interested in grant funding is urged to get in touch with the ENE team as soon as possible as the funding pot is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested parties can find out more about receiving a grant, and eligibility criteria, by emailing ene@pect.org.uk or visiting www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene

Antony Gough, Grant Scheme Project Manager at Eastern New Energy

Switch onto energy savings

Limited funding still available for eligible businesses towards energy saving projects*. Find out more: www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene

The ENE project is funded by 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 * Eligibility criteria apply. Minimum project value £5,000.