BUSINESSES TO SAVE ££££S WITH FREE ADVICE FROM ACTION ENERGY

Accountants should make their clients aware of the launch of Action Energy, a Government-backed initiative introduced by the Carbon Trust to help businesses and organisations cut their energy costs through the provision of free, professional advice and assistance. The key areas for accountants to highlight to their clients are:

• Through being energy efficient there is potential to reduce energy bills significantly.
• Through Action Energy, organisations from multinationals to small businesses (including not-for-profit and public organisations) can receive free and impartial advice on how to become more energy efficient.
• As part of the Action Energy launch a new £10 million Energy Loans initiative is being made available to small and medium sized businesses, in England and Wales, with the support of Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

A recent UK government PIU report suggested that up to 30% of energy - the equivalent of £12 billion per annum - is being wasted. In addition, experience has shown that energy bills can often be reduced by up to 20% using a variety of energy efficient techniques, many of which involve little or no expenditure and Action Energy has been established to help all organisations to achieve this.

The services offered by Action Energy include a free helpline providing expert advice, online information, publications providing basic to technical information and free energy surveys to identify opportunities for energy savings.

Whilst Action Energy offers help to organisations of all sizes it recognises that small and medium-sized companies find it difficult to spare the time or money to invest in energy saving projects, despite the potential to save thousands of pounds. Action Energy, in association with the Energy Saving Trust, is therefore placing a strong emphasis on supporting smaller businesses. This will include the provision of tailored, practical and simple-to-implement advice through the helpline and a network of advisers, to cater specifically for the needs of companies at a local level.

Small companies can often achieve significant savings at little cost. But sometimes capital investment is needed to maximise energy savings. The Carbon Trust is therefore offering £10 million to small and medium sized companies in interest free Energy Loans. Loans of between £5,000 - £50,000 are available to companies in England and Wales, repayable over four years. The scheme builds on the success of similar schemes which already operate in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A further financial incentive available to all businesses, is provided in the form of Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs), which encourages businesses to invest in energy saving equipment. The Carbon Trust is taking over responsibility for managing, promoting and monitoring the Government ECA Scheme. Businesses can claim 100% first year capital allowances on investments and write off the cost of their investment against taxable profits for the period during which they make the investment.

Organisations should call the helpline now on 0800 58 57 94, or visit www.actionenergy.org.uk to take advantage of the advice and services available through Action Energy.

Action Energy is a programme run by the Carbon Trust and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, The Scottish Executive, Invest Northern Ireland and the National Assembly for Wales. It is designed to help businesses and organisations cut their energy costs through the provision of free, professional advice and assistance. Action Energy is an integral part of the Government's climate change programme, aimed at meeting the UK's carbon reduction obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.

Helpline 0800 58 57 94
Website www.actionenergy.org.uk

 

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