SMEs offered up to 30% of the cost of energy efficiency projects

If you’re a small or medium sized business thinking about how to save energy, here’s some great news: you can now apply for a capital contribution of up to 30% of the cost of an energy saving project through the Carbon Trust’s Green Business Fund.

This capital contribution has been doubled from the previously available 15%, to support even more firms to invest in new and more efficient equipment that can help them cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, the Carbon Trust said.

Up to £10,000 is available for each business, from a total fund of £7m. Companies in England, Scotland and Wales with fewer than 250 employees are eligible to apply.

“This could mean up to £10,000 towards a new lighting system for your warehouse, heating and air conditioning equipment for your offices or a controls system for your factory — to help you rise to the challenge of becoming a greener business,” the Carbon Trust explained.

The minimum total size of the project must be £5,000, and equipment should be purchased from a Green Business Directory supplier, to ensure that the supplier is properly accredited.

As well as capital contributions for new equipment, firms can access energy opportunity assessments to help them identify energy saving opportunities and to develop a robust business case for the purchase of the appropriate equipment.

Businesses in Northern Ireland are covered by a separate scheme in which they can access zero-interest loans of between £3,000 and £400,000 to fund an energy saving project. The Carbon Trust announced this month that it has been awarded a new contract to extend the 0% APR Energy Efficiency Loan Fund scheme for at least two more years.

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