Grant scheme helps SME businesses in Oldham save up to 50% on energy investment costs
With businesses continuing to change their working practices in response to the impact of Covid-19, many are anticipating higher energy bills this winter.
Whether it’s due to longer operating hours on factory floors to allow for split shifts to accommodate social distancing, or the need to increase supplies of fresh air, as winter approaches even more businesses will need to turn up their heating and switch on lights earlier and for longer.
To help manage this, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oldham can save up to 50% of the capital needed for investments in energy efficiency. The Energy Efficiency Grant could be worth between £1,000 and £12,500 per business, significantly reducing the investment payback times and helping each business to improve its environmental impact through a reduced carbon footprint.
The grants are being offered by GC Business Growth Hub, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. They can go towards, for example, heating equipment upgrades, replacement motors and drives, LED lighting or other energy efficiency projects and the grants are available to cover half the cost (worth up to a maximum project cost of £25,000).
Local firms trading with other businesses, employing fewer than 250 people and with a turnover of less than £40m last year are eligible.
The Cross Group in Oldham recently received an Energy Efficiency Grant that has helped it to save on overall costs across its portfolio of multi-occupancy business properties.
Adnan Yousaf, director of The Cross Group, said: “The Energy Efficiency Grant helped us to invest in an automated heating system. As a result, we now have precise control of the heating and warmer, happier tenants. We received great help, advice and supprt from GC Business Growth Hub’s Environmental Business Advisor at every stage.”
Since 2015, more than 1,000 Greater Manchester businesses have received support from the Hub’s Resource Efficiency team and 16,000 tonnes of annual CO2e (‘carbon dioxide equivalent’, which represents the level of greenhouse gas emissions) savings have been made.
Matt Whitworth, environmental business advisor for GC Business Growth Hub, said: “These are challenging times for businesses and any opportunity to reduce energy consumption and make savings on overall costs should be seriously considered.
“If you think your business might be eligible for our Energy Efficiency Grant it’s well worth taking five minutes to complete the short online form and make contact with our team who will advise on whether you qualify for support within 48 working hours.
“Our specialists are focused on helping SME businesses to make savings and cut carbon emissions, with our only agenda being to help businesses thrive and contribute towards Greater Manchester becoming one of the greenest places in Europe. If you think we can help you contribute towards these goals, please do get in touch.”
For more information and for businesses to access the short form to kick start their application, please go to: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/resource-efficiency/energy-efficiency-grant
