Small businesses in the West of England could save an average of £1,700 on their energy bills thanks to new Green Business Grants launched by Regional Mayor, Tim Bowles, to help secure a green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grants of up to £15,000 will support projects to improve energy efficiency, such as LED lighting, air source heat pumps, solar thermal, wall and roof insulation, variable speed drives, air compressors, induction cooking and solar PV.

West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “By helping our businesses to be more energy efficient, we can secure a green recovery from the pandemic which cuts costs for those businesses, helping them to focus on rebuilding, maintaining jobs and cutting our region’s carbon footprint at the same time.

“I have been clear from the outset of our work on the economic recovery, that as we look to reset from the pandemic, we should be seizing this opportunity to build back better and make sure that we are focusing on low carbon, inclusive growth in the future. This scheme is another example of that recovery plan in practice and I would encourage businesses from across the region to apply.”

To help businesses decide what measures to put in place the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) will provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a free carbon survey and report as part of the process, and can pay for up to 80% of eligible costs, depending on the business’ size, location and project.

This programme is a key part of the West of England Recovery Taskforce’s regional action plan to help the region build back better, greener and stronger from the impact of Covid-19. WECA has allocated £9.4m to deliver the West of England Recovery Plan, and this week launched the Together West of England campaign to connect businesses with the support and guidance they need to adapt, build resilience and prepare for the future.

The £1.7m scheme is part of the West of England Combined Authority’s (WECA) Low Carbon Challenge Fund. Through this fund, WECA has already allocated more than £200,000 in Green Business Grants to 24 SMEs, at an average grant award of £8,000. This will save each business an annual average of eight tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

It is also part of WECA’s Climate Emergency Action Plan – helping the region move to net zero carbon by 2030 – with a focus on low carbon business, renewable energy and low carbon buildings and places.