Renewable energy firm urges bosses to take advantage of new grant
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A leading North West based global renewable energy specialist is urging small firms to take advantage of a new grant scheme launched for the region.
Wirral based Stiebel Eltron manufacturers and installs renewable energy heat pumps. It says the ‘Grant For Improving Your Resource Efficiency’, launched in May by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), can offer eligible firms up to 50 per cent to pay for the installation of green energy products.
“The new fund is a tremendous boost to small firms in the region,” said Stiebel Eltron’s UK managing director Mark McManus. “Critically it can be used with other incentives and tax breaks to help meet the costs of going green. However, it is vital that business owners realise that going green and becoming energy efficient is not an expensive luxury - it can cut costs. Our heating products can pay for themselves within a matter of years. Moreover installing heat pumps means no longer being at the mercy of soaring oil and gas bills.”
Mr McManus said Stiebel Eltron can offer firms free advice on applying for the new NWDA grant. It can further give advice on other grants and incentives including tax breaks and leasing schemes so firms can spread the cost.
“Our service to small firms includes undertaking a free energy efficiency report of any premises in the UK,” he said. “This will recommend how a building can become greener and more energy efficient. Heating is responsible for almost half of UK energy use and carbon emissions. Therefore renewable energy heat pumps have a key role to play in cutting carbon emissions and slashing down on the UK’s reliance on gas, oil and coal generated heat.”
The Grant For Improving Your Resource Efficiency, is a £4.4m programme designed to help small businesses fund investments in carbon-reducing technologies, where support can not be obtained from the Carbon Trust’s interest free loan scheme. It will cover capital purchases of up to 50 per cent, which can demonstrate CO2 savings, to a maximum of €200,000. The programme will run until March 2012 and can be accessed via Business Link Northwest.
For further details on Stiebel Eltron’s advice service contact mark.mcmanus@stiebel-eltron.co.uk or call: 0151 346 2300. Phonelines will be manned 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Stiebel Eltron primarily manufacturers ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps transfers heat from the ground into a building to provide heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps absorb heat from outside to heat buildings and provide hot water. Neither pump uses oil or gas.
Renewable energy background
In June 2008 the prime minister unveiled a £100bn renewable energy plan he described as a “Green Revolution” and “the most dramatic change in energy policy since the advent of nuclear power.” He said he wanted to reach the EU imposed target of producing 20pc of the country’s energy from renewable sources by 2020, in 2006 just 1.5pc of UK energy was produced by renewable sources. This will require £100bn of private investment which the Government plans to encourage with grants and financial incentives. Mr Brown said that by 2020 renewable energy would account for 30pc of electricity supply, 14pc of heat supply and up to 10pc of transport fuel.
The Government renewable energy strategy estimates that 160,000 new jobs will be created by the ‘green revolution’ in the UK by 2020.
In addition to this target the Government has set its own target of reducing the UK’s carbon emissions by 60pc by 2050.
The average UK household produces over 5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year with space and water heating accounting for more than 73pc of this.
At least 70pc of all non-domestic buildings will still be in use by 2050 so there is a huge market for converting existing buildings to renewable energy.
Heating is responsible for almost half of UK energy use and carbon emissions. The Government is therefore keen to encourage the use of air source and ground source heat pumps along with solar hot water systems.
Stiebel Eltron background
STIEBEL ELTRON provides convenient technical solutions for every aspect of renewable energies, hot water, air-conditioning and central heating. Founded in Germany in 1924 by Dr. Theodor Stiebel today it is one of the world’s leading specialists in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and systems technologies. It has a world-wide turnover of 400m Euros and employs 3000 staff.
Stiebel Eltron opened its new UK office on Wirral International Business Park on Merseyside in February 2008 having previously been based in Northampton. Visit: www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk
Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
- Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
- Matching skills provision to employer needs
- Creating the conditions for economic growth
- • Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
- Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life
