A groundbreaking initiative to cut carbon emissions generated by Hull businesses has hit its initial target six months ahead of schedule.
The Hull Business Energy Efficiency Scheme has smashed the 750,000kg ambition, hitting 790,000kg well ahead of the June closure.
And with an additional 25 projects already being supported, a further 175,000kg are anticipated to be wiped out. Those behind it now anticipate saving 1,000 tonnes by the summer deadline - an equivalent saving to what would be achieved by planting 500,000 trees.
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Phil Hall, HBEES programme manager, said: “The response we’ve had to the scheme has been fantastic - so far, we’ve supported over 200 Hull businesses to not just reduce their emissions, but have also seen some businesses save tens of thousands of pounds on their energy costs each year.”
Addressing businesses directly, with £200,000 still in the kitty, he added: “If you’ve been thinking about how you can make changes to reduce your business’s emissions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – grants are still available and we can also provide a whole host of fully-funded specialist energy advice services too.”
HBEES offers grants of up to £15,000 to SMEs in the city looking to update outdated equipment or install new heating, lighting, solar or EV charging points, meaning they are saving tonnes of carbon – as well as money on their energy costs – each year.
Eligible businesses interested in taking part need to be quick, as all grant applications need to be submitted by the end of March.
Cllr Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “We’re very proud of what the HBEES scheme has achieved so far and how many Hull businesses have taken part, already helping play their part in helping Hull become a carbon neutral city – benefiting everyone in our city for years to come.”
To find out more about the scheme, and to check business eligibility, click here.
One significant beneficiary is Eltherington Group Ltd, an architectural aluminium manufacturer with a plant on Hedon Road. Following assessment it received a £15,000 grant to put towards a more efficient LED lighting system. The business is now saving almost £40,000 a year, and more than one tenth of the scheme's total emissions.
Speaking about the success previously, Michael Riding, director of special projects at the £27 million turnover firm, where 163 people are employed, said: “The new improved LED lighting has helped us to reduce our energy bills and reduce our carbon emissions by more than 115 tonnes per year. As a business, we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and this has been a major step forward for us. It has really helped us to kickstart our journey in becoming a greener, more sustainable organisation.”
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