Net Zero Worcestershire support programme

The Net Zero Worcestershire Programme offers fully funded decarbonisation and energy efficiency assessments with an expert energy advisor for eligible businesses. The review can help you to discover areas to reduce your carbon footprint and there is also an opportunity to apply for grant funding to implement projects.

In affiliation with the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS).

Net Zero Worcestershire CMYK

What’s on offer?

The assessment will provide recommendations for reducing energy costs and saving carbon in your business. This could include measures such as upgrading to energy-efficient lighting or optimising heating systems. Energy advisors can help you to understand how to turn your sustainability aspirations into measurable actions.

Following an energy assessment, businesses can apply for grant funding:

  • between £1,000 and up to £10,000 for renewable technology (District Council area limits apply*)
  • up to £100,000 for energy efficiency projects (excludes renewable technology)
  • Bromsgrove District: £1,000 to £10,000*
  • Malvern Hills District: £1,000 to £8,000*
  • Redditch Borough: £1,000 to £10,000*
  • Worcester City: £1,000 to £4,000*
  • Wychavon District: £1,000 to £9,500*
  • Wyre Forest District: £1,000 to £10,000*

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the business will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.  

The grant can be used to fund a variety of business activities, including, but not limited to:

  • lighting 
  • compressors
  • insulation
  • fast-shutting doors
  • renewable technology
  • heat recovery
  • heaters and boilers
  • energy efficiency equipment that leads to process improvements

If you would like to discuss the grant funding available to your business in more detail, please email: grants@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Am I eligible?

To receive support through the programme, businesses must:

  • be operating within Worcestershire and have a Worcestershire business address
  • have a minimum annual energy spend of £5,000

and:

  • an SME, sole trader or partnership 
  • below the Subsidy Control threshold of £315,000 over the previous three years, including the value of the support

Excluded sectors not eligible for support include:

  • primary agriculture
  • schools
  • public sector funded organisations

*The definition of an SME is as follows:

  • has fewer than 250 employees
  • has either (a) an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or (b) an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million
  • 25% or more of the capital or the voting rights are not owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises falling outside this definition of an SME
  • does not own more than 25% of the capital or voting rights in an enterprise falling outside of this definition of SME

How is this project funded?

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the Pilot Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) and Worcestershire County Council.

Worcestershire County Council is delivering UKSPF in Partnership with Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund Prospectus.

The Pilot Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) offers free energy assessments and grant funding to implement energy efficiency measures to small and medium-sized businesses in the West Midlands. The programme is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

How do I apply?

Registering for the programme is simple, all you need to do is follow these steps. 

You can email: netzero@worcestershire.gov.uk or click the button below:

You will then receive a unique link to the online application portal via email and instructions on how to complete your application. A member of the team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or if further details are needed.

What clients say

Fews Marquees reduced its costs and saved over 190 tonnes of CO2e with the support of grant funding.

Watch the video to learn more:
Logos for One Worcestershire, Worcestershire growth hub logo, Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council

Learn more about Net Zero support in Worcestershire

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