Another 1,300 businesses across the West Midlands are to get a
share of £15m of new funding to cut their energy usage and bills,
and help the region get to net zero by 2041, Mayor has announced today
(Tuesday 1 April).
The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) pilot scheme is being
led by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).
It is one of a number of regional schemes that have already
helped 2,400 businesses to identify measures to decarbonise and
reduce energy demand, with match funded grant support available
to implement actions.
If fully implemented, they would save £16m a year in gas and
electricity costs and reduce their annual carbon emissions by
34,000 tonnes – the equivalent to the amount produced by 20,000
cars each year.
The new funding will save businesses a further £8m in annual
energy costs and cut 17,000 tonnes of carbon.
SMEs can apply for a free energy efficiency audit leading to an
opportunity to secure between £1,000 and £100,000 of match
funding to implement recommended measures that can reduce their
energy demand.
This could include supporting investment in new machinery and
equipment, improved manufacturing processes, or LED lighting,
solar power, heat pumps, and insulation.
The Mayor said: “High energy costs are holding businesses back.
That's why I'm taking action to make them cleaner, greener and
more competitive.
“We've already helped more than 2,000 businesses cut millions of
pounds off their gas and electricity bills and reduce their
carbon emissions thanks to this expert advice and funding.
“I'm helping to power up businesses so they can invest in their
own future and take on more staff. That's part of my plan for a
stronger and more prosperous future for everyone.”
Minister for Industry, , said: "As part of our Plan for
Change, we are continuing to provide support for businesses of
all sizes to transition towards a more sustainable future -
cutting costs and emissions.
"The BEAS pilot has already supported 2,000 businesses across the
West MIdlands, and this £15 million boost will help many more
businesses slash their carbon emissions and save millions on
energy bills."
The West Midlands manufacturing base means there is a higher
proportion of energy exposed businesses than any other UK region.
As a result, the government chose the West Midlands to pilot the
scheme which looks at the best and most efficient ways of helping
businesses reduce their gas and electricity usage and carbon
emissions.
Birmingham-based craft beer maker Attic Brew Co was awarded
funding to help install new energy efficient beer making
equipment as well as a more efficient boiler, double glazing and
lighting for its brewery in Stirchley, cutting annual carbon
emissions by 65 tonnes and fuel bills by around £30,000.
Managing director Sam Back said: “The support we've had means
we've been able to reduce equipment running costs, the level of
heating we need and the co2 we produce. It has also unlocked
additional support to help find future avenues for improvement.
“Without this help it's likely we'd have had to scale down our
plans to maintain the fantastic growth we've seen since we began
brewing commercially in 2018.”
BEAS is being delivered by the WMCA and DESNZ through Business
Growth West Midlands in partnership with Aston University,
Coventry City Council, Black Country Industrial Cluster,
Birmingham City Council, Warwickshire County Council,
Staffordshire County Council, Worcestershire County Council, and
Pro Enviro.
Find out more about BEAS and a range of support programmes for
SMEs at www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk.
