The energy crisis is hitting all retailers hard, so why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of free expert consultancy and interest-free unsecured loans and grants through Scottish Government-funded Business Energy Scotland to help you slash your energy bills?
By Antony Begley
Every local retailer in Scotland has first-hand experience of the devastating impact on their business of the ongoing energy crisis. The rocketing cost of energy has affected everyone, and the last year has been little more than a damage limitation exercise as retailers scramble to renegotiate contracts and try to find ways to cut their energy consumption.
So, wouldn’t it be great if there was an organisation out there that could provide you with free expert consultancy as well as facilitating interest-free, unsecured loans and grants to replace ageing, inefficient equipment with new state-of-the-art kit? Pay down periods on the new kit can be as low as a year or 18 months thanks to massive savings that new equipment can make on your energy bill.
It sounds too good to be true – but that organisation exists, and it’s called Business Energy Scotland.
With the help of Business Energy Scotland advisers and an interest-free, unsecured loan, Premier MC Stores in Girvan was able to slash more than £4k off its annual energy bill.
The store was able to make several improvements throughout the business including:
- New LED lighting
- New refrigeration units
- A new ventilation system
Richard Cook, Operations Manager at Premier MC Stores, said: “Because of the interest-free loan and cashback we were able to invest more money back into the business to basically bring the store up to a five-star standard.”
Save energy, save money
Unlike the many random cold-calling agencies that have undoubtedly been on the line to you over the last year promising the earth, Business Energy Scotland is a Scottish Government-funded body that exists to help businesses save energy, carbon and money.
Why would they offer all this support for free to retailers? Because it helps the Scottish Government make strides towards its Net Zero targets and because retail is a huge industry that consumes a lot of energy.
Previously known as the Energy Efficiency Business Support Service, Business Energy Scotland launched in April 2022 and is managed by the Energy Saving Trust. It has no commercial interests in supporting retailers and does not take commissions or fees from external suppliers. It exists simply to help you to become more energy efficient, reduce your energy consumption and, ultimately, to reduce your costs and improve your profits. And yes, it’s entirely free.
Whether you’re looking to simply replace tired old kilowatt-munching dairy decks with new efficient closed-door chillers or whether you are considering taking advantage of renewables like solar power or wind, Business Energy Scotland can help.
All small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland looking to improve their premises can access Business Energy Scotland’s free support. Whether you are just starting out on your energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support your current plans, Business Energy Scotland’s team of experienced business advisors and energy-saving consultants provide impartial advice and project support.
What funding is available?
Through Business Energy Scotland, SMEs that have been trading for 12 months can access unsecured, interest-free loans of £1,000 to £100,000 from the Scottish Government to pay for energy- and carbon-saving upgrades in their business.
The scheme can be used to finance the installation of many energy-efficient systems, equipment or building fabric, including:
- heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades;
- renewable heat technologies such as installing an air source heat pump;
- improving insulation, draught proofing, double or secondary glazing;
- installing LED lighting;
- installing solar thermal systems, wind turbines and biomass boilers.
Recipients can also receive a cashback non-repayable grant of up to £30,000 when installing eligible equipment:
- 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £20,000 can be claimed for energy efficiency measures;
- 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £10,000 can also be claimed for a range of renewable heat measures (heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal).
The SME Loan Scheme has already provided Scottish businesses with over £26m in loans for more than 950 projects.
£200m savings
Business Energy Scotland’s team of advisors has already found over £200m worth of savings for Scottish organisations – with a 24% average energy saving per business. What’s more, nine out of 10 businesses that have received support would recommend them to other businesses.
- Available to retailers who have been trading for 12 months.
- Interest-free loans of £1,000 to £100,000 from the Scottish Government to pay for energy- and carbon-saving upgrades.
- Cashback non-repayable grants of up to £30,000 when installing eligible equipment.
- Grants covering 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £20,000 can be claimed for energy efficiency measures.
- Grants covering 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £10,000 can also be claimed for a range of renewable heat measures (heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal).
- SME Loan Scheme has already provided Scottish businesses with over £26m in loans for more than 950 projects.
- Business Energy Scotland’s team of advisors has already found over £200m worth of savings for Scottish organisations.
- Average saving of 24% per business.
