Action on energy
LAST month saw the launch of Action Energy (formerly known as the Energy Efficiency Best Pratice Programme), a government initiative introduced by the Carbon Trust to help businesses within the minerals industry cut their energy costs through the provision of free professional advice and assistance.
As part of the launch, a new £10 million energy loans initiative is also being introduced across England and Wales.
Through Action Energy, organizations ranging from multinationals to small businesses will be able to receive impartial advice on how to save money by reducing energy use, and SMEs in England and Wales that require capital investment to become more energy efficient will be able take advantage of the new interest-free loans –– available in amounts between £5,000 and £50,000, repayable over four years.
Forming an integral part of the Government’s climate-change programme, which is aimed at meeting the UK’s carbon-reduction obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the scheme builds on the success of similar initiatives already operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Experience has shown that energy bills can often be reduced by up to 20% using a variety of energy-efficient techniques, many involving little or no expenditure. Action Energy has been established to help all organizations, but particularly smaller businesses, to achieve this. The services offered include a free helpline, online information, technical publications and free energy surveys.
A further financial incentive available to all businesses is being provided in the form of enhanced capital allowances (ECAs), which encourage businesses to invest in energy-saving equipment. Businesses will be able to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on investments and write off the cost of their investment against taxable profits during the investment period.
