The UK government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a response to implementing Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive which mandates energy assessments for large organisations. The ESOS will affect thousands of organisations and the Energy Institute (EI) has published a new free guide to understanding and complying with the regulation.
Energy efficiency
Implementing energy efficiency is of course a win/win combination for organisations, saving them both energy and money, while contributing to lowering global carbon emissions. It is hoped that the ESOS will promote the benefits of energy efficiency in the minds of senior management and kick start a step change in the implementation of energy efficient business measures.
The ESOS
The ESOS will apply to undertakings operating in the UK with over 250 employees, or with an annual turnover of 50 million Euros and balance sheet of 43 million Euros. Participants will identify and audit their own significant energy consumption and submit a formal notification to the Environment Agency. A key aspect of the scheme is that assessments must be signed off by a board level director. Penalties will be issued for non-compliance.
EI’s briefing
The new briefing on the ESOS by the EI is published by the Institute’s Knowledge Service, in association with Ricardo-AEA, and outlines the most important routes to compliance and explains the data collection and reporting process.
A free copy of the guide can be downloaded here.
Comments
Sarah Beacock FEI, Skills and Capability Director, EI said, ‘as the leading professional membership body for the energy sector, the EI’s role is to keep energy professionals up to date on new developments, particularly in energy policy. EI members have contributed to the development of ESOS both through the policy consultation process and directly via the DECC’s Expert Advisory panel.
‘The real vale of an ESOS audit to UK business lies in the implementation of the identified energy saving measures. To do that they will need to call upon experts with a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience that focus on delivering savings to clients. Our role is to provide the opportunities to develop those skills, the knowledge and professionialism that go with it.’
Adapted from press release by Claira Lloyd