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Would your business like to become more energy efficient by 2021? There is a multitude of long-term organisational benefits to investing in energy efficiency, including reduced operating costs, increased competitiveness, business growth and resilience – all elements that are needed now more than ever during this uncertain time of Covid-19.

The environmental charity PECT has become a key partner in the recently launched Eastern New Energy (ENE) programme. The charity is overseeing part of the programme’s Grant Scheme that aims to support eligible small and medium-sized businesses in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, to help catalyse capital investments in energy efficiency initiatives.

Businesses can brighten up their eco credentials this winter as well as reducing operational costs by applying for a grant of up to 25% towards the cost of installing lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

LED light bulbs have been proven to last longer, have reduced energy consumption, increased durability, and lower maintenance requirements than other types of lighting. Lighting upgrades to LED technology can provide financial savings of up to 80%.

The Carbon Trust reports that lighting uses 20% of the electricity generated in the UK. With many current lighting systems still reliant on inefficient light sources there remains significant potential to move to low energy lighting such as LED. 

With LED lights offering the potential to significantly reduce energy use and associated costs, the ENE programme can support eligible businesses with grants towards the initial investment of purchasing and installing LED lighting.

“Lighting can be a significant portion of a business’s energy bills, but we can support eligible businesses in applying for a grant to help implement effective energy efficiency measures,” says Antony Gough, Grant Scheme Project Manager for Eastern New Energy. “Our funding pot is limited and only available for a fixed period of time, so we’d urge businesses to get in touch to find out if they are eligible, so they don’t miss out.”

ENE has received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The programme is led by the University of East London, with a wider partnership comprising 23 organisations.

If you are a small or medium sized business in the region who would like to find out more about receiving a grant, call 01733 882549, email ene@pect.org.uk or visit www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene