Highland business energy saving steps slash £18m off fuel bills
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Businesses in the Highlands are on course to save more than £18 million on their energy bills with the support of a free Scottish Government-funded programme.
Zero Waste Scotland has been helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to discover ways they can cut their energy use and reduce carbon emissions.
Marissa Lippiatt, head of resource efficiency at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “It is pleasing to see so many businesses in the Highlands deciding to take action to reduce their energy use. Not only does this add profit directly to their bottom line, but it also goes a long way to helping Scotland meet its target to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045.
“The actions taken by Highlands SMEs to implement our recommendations will reduce their collective carbon output by 54,000 tonnes. That’s equivalent to the emissions from 192 million car miles.”
Since the start of 2016, the impartial advice given to companies in the Highlands has identified £44 million of potential energy savings through things like heating, lighting and building upgrades.
To help SMEs finance the recommendations the Scottish Government currently provides interest-free loans and cashback grants.
Throughout Scotland, companies are on course to make close to £207 million of lifetime energy savings.
More than 720,000 tonnes of carbon emissions can be cut from the atmosphere nationally because of the changes implemented. This would equate to the emissions created from more than two billion car miles, or 102,400 journeys around the world.
Ms Lippiatt added: “We have an increasing number of businesses coming to us for support and advice which demonstrates the growing awareness of the climate emergency and how we can all take steps to make changes.”
Businesses can apply for an interest-free Scottish Government SME Loan of between £1000 and £100,000 with a maximum cashback grant of £20,000 for eligible measures.
To find out more, or to apply, visit www.energy.zerowastescotland.org.uk, call 0808 808 2268 or email EnergyEfficiency@zerowastescotland.org.uk
