THOUSANDS of businesses across the region will be given help to cut their energy usage and bills, writes Cam Watson.
The plans – which went before the West Midlands Combined Authority Board last Friday – will see free energy efficient audits for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the seven council areas covered by the WMCA.
Companiesm from coffee shops and hairdressers to manufacturing firms, will be able to apply for between £1,000 and £100,000 of match-funding to implement recommended measures to reduce energy demand.
This could be investing in new machinery and equipment, improving manufacturing process or installing LED lighting and insulation.
The scheme is also aimed at helping the West Midlands transition to net zero.
The region has a higher proportion of energy exposed businesses than any other UK region.
Helping employers to reduce energy consumption was a key recommendation from the West Midlands Industrial Energy Taskforce, set up by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, as part of a commitment to support the decarbonisation of businesses.
Mr Street said: “Businesses right across our region have felt the impact of high energy costs and – whilst they may appreciate our #WM2041 net zero commitment – I welcome the support in helping them meet those ambitions.”
He said the pressures underlined the importance of the Industrial Energy Taskforce set up so thy could hear directly from those affected about what needs to happen to better protect them in the longer term from volatility in the energy market.
And he added a range of interventions would be required – he was continuing to press energy providers to unshackle firms from ‘punitive contracts negotiated at the height of the energy crisis when prices peaked last year’.
“However, improving energy efficiency is also part of the answer so supporting investment in measures that reduce energy consumption will result in lower energy costs in the future.”
The WMCA has also secured £70 million of funding from Government and social housing providers to improve the energy efficiency of thousands of homes.
The WMCA hosted The Energy Capital Autumn Conference, Powering Place, yesterday (Thursday) at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry with Mr Street among the speakers.
Another event – The Greener Together Forum – takes place in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, September 26.
