Businesses in Newcastle and the surrounding area can now get help to slash their energy bills – providing vital savings and helping to reduce the emission of global warming gases.
The Business Energy Saving Team is a new initiative that will advise small and medium-sized businesses on how to lower their fuel bills.
Companies in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside and Northumberland are eligible for the assistance.
Energy audits will be provided for up to 250 enterprises and grants will be available for around 100 of these companies to help them become more energy efficient.
The energy audit will identify ways in which companies can save on their energy bills and cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
Some common recommendations made by the energy audit are:
- Upgrading lighting
- Replacing older machines and pieces of equipment with more energy efficient models
- Adapting working patterns to make them more energy efficient
Rising energy costs are currently a challenge for most businesses. There are also serious concerns over the impact of greenhouse gases on global warming, with scientists suggesting the planet could be warming at a faster rate than previously thought.
The Business Energy Saving Team (BEST) initiative aims to reduce the north east’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1000 tonnes.
Cllr Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council’s cabinet member for employment, said, “This is a great example of what can be achieved when local authorities work together.”
“This service will help small and medium-sized businesses reduce energy costs, save money and make a valuable contribution to reducing harmful carbon emissions.”
“I hope that businesses take advantage of the advice and funding that is on offer and take positive action to cut their energy bills, which is often one of their biggest areas of spend.”
The BEST project has been made possible by £670,000 from England’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme for 2014-2020.
To learn more about the BEST scheme – or to check if your business is eligible for an audit – please go to www.best-ne.co.uk.
(Featured image courtesy of Third Way Think Tank, from Flickr Creative Commons.)
