Scotland’s food and drink producers are being urged to take advantage of free expert consultancy and interest-free unsecured loans and grants from Business Energy Scotland to help dramatically reduce their energy bills.
Business Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and exists to help businesses save energy, carbon and money. It provides free expert consultancy and facilitates interest-free, unsecured loans and grants to replace ageing, inefficient equipment with new state-of-the-art kit. Pay down periods can be as low as a year or 18 months thanks to the massive savings that new equipment can make on energy bills.
What’s the catch?
There is none. Scotland’s huge food and drink industry consumes a vast amount of energy, and this support is offered to producers for free because it helps the Scottish Government make strides towards its Net Zero targets.
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 businesses and doesn’t take commissions or fees from external suppliers. It exists simply to help companies become more energy efficient, reduce their energy consumption and, ultimately, reduce their costs and improve profits.
All small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland looking to improve their premises can access Business Energy Scotland’s free support. Whether businesses are just starting out on their energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support their 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.
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.
Brewing up savings
Edinburgh-based Stewart Brewing has already taken advantage of a Business Energy Scotland’s support to install an array of solar panels at its Loanhead brewery.
Steve Stewart, who started the business in 2004 with his wife Jo, said: “Without the help we received, our prospects wouldn’t have been good. Never in 19 years have things been like this.
“There are myriad challenges for brewing right now with the cost of energy and raw material prices, and we would have been struggling to keep our heads above water.”
The business has plans to install an air source heat pump to provide underfloor heating and hot water. It is also investigating battery storage and other suggestions made in the survey.
Steve concluded: “I am absolutely supportive the help we received from Business Energy Scotland and would recommend it to any other business in a flash.”
To find out more about how Business Energy Scotland and the Scottish Government’s SME Loan Scheme can help your business save energy and money, visit businessenergyscotland.org or call 0808 808 2268.
