Small businesses in Devon will be able to benefit from a new “one stop shop” to help them implement energy saving measures – cutting carbon emissions and costs.
Decarbonise Devon has been launched by EPConnect with support from our Green Innovation Fund. The project aims to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to get their energy reduction plans off the ground by identifying which measures are appropriate for each individual business and ensuring high standards of installation work.
Delivering specialised energy audits to SMEs across the county will guide businesses on the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. This could be through the use of technologies such as solar panels, efficient lighting, heating upgrades and insulation.
The service is hosted by the Devon Energy Collective, a not-for-profit community interest company set up by the Devon Community Energy Network. This network is a collaboration of 23 local energy organisations in the county that own a number of renewable energy generators, advise on energy efficiency and deliver climate education.
Community champions from these local energy organisations around the county will be supported to take the service to businesses in their area.
Qualified energy assessors will offer free, no-obligation energy assessments for businesses and Decarbonise Devon can then provide all the technical expertise to look after the whole process: planning, project management, accessing finance, finding trustworthy contractors, even verifying impact.
Alex Rathmell, Managing Director, EPConnect, said: “Devon is home to the country’s most active community energy sector, with teams of passionate people across the county delivering vital advice and support at this time of high energy costs and deep concern about climate change. We’re delighted to be working with them to support local businesses through our ESCO-in-a-box solution, which gives Decarbonise Devon a proven platform from day one. Devon is leading the way for other UK regions, and one day we hope every part of the country will have a similar service to help its businesses get to net zero.”
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said:
“Businesses are increasingly concerned about how to manage rising energy costs, and many also want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions as the UK moves towards net zero. Decarbonise Devon aims to make it straightforward for businesses to introduce energy-saving projects and I’m pleased that our Green Innovation Fund is supporting them to do that.
“There are challenges for businesses in implementing carbon reduction plans but there are clearly opportunities in helping meet net zero targets and to save costs. Projects will be delivered by quality-assured local contractors, creating employment opportunities within Devon to help support the local economy.”
Decarbonise Devon is using a platform called ESCO-in-a-box®, developed by EPConnect. The “Energy Service Company Model” (ESCO) to enable SMEs to improve their energy efficiency and affordably transition to renewable energy sources.
It is owned and operated entirely within Devon, staffed by local experts, and will work with local or regional contractors to deliver projects.
The Green Innovation Fund is funded through our £6million recovery programme which aims to support four key areas during the recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic: small and medium enterprises, employment and skills, the green recovery, and the hardest hit towns and communities.
Businesses are now able to visit https://devonenergycic.co.uk/our-projects/decarbonise-devon/ to find out how to sign-up for the service or register to become an approved contractor.