We have recently received exciting news that we are delighted to be able to share with you regarding the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This government scheme was first launched in 2020 and its aim is to provide grants to public sector organisations, allowing them to fund energy efficiency upgrades to their buildings.
What the Grant Funds
The grant’s funding is wide-ranging and offers public sector and commercial organisations the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, including through heat decarbonisation and increased insulation, as well as by installing a range of other suitable measures. It aims to reduce emissions from public sector buildings by 75% by 2037, in line with the government’s 2021 Net Zero and Heat and Buildings strategies.
We are very proud to be involved in this project, and the latest news that a third phase is to be launched later this year is wonderful as it recognises the great work that has been conducted to date, as well as the energy efficiency benefits that have already been realised. This newly announced phase will be known as Phase 3c, and its application window will open in Autumn 2023.
Phase 3c follows on the back of the highly successful Phases 3a and 3b, which are both closed to new applications, and the total grant funding investment across the three phases is expected to amount to circa £1.425Bn. This is a significant investment and demonstrates the extent to which our government is committed to tackling climate change.
Careers in the sector
As a side benefit to this ambitious project, up to 30,000 jobs were secured in the low carbon and energy efficiency industry sectors, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies and traditional building know-how have sufficient time to blend and develop, resulting in a world-leading skill set.
It is hoped that by encouraging new starters into the industry and providing them with valuable on-the-job experience, working alongside existing talent, the UK’s construction workforce will continue to challenge the norm and build on current and planned energy efficiency measures.
With many in the industry prioritising the long-term sustainability of new builds, this new phase of activity serves as an important reminder that significant benefits will also be achieved by retrofitting existing properties.
How Next Energy can help
Ahead of the Phase 3 application window opening in the autumn, we are ideally positioned and have the capability and experience to support businesses in developing their heat decarbonisation plan. The heat decarbonisation plan is bespoke to your business and building and will allow you to identify shortfalls in your existing infrastructure and generate the information that you will need prior to applying for Phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
This plan is an essential component of the application process and can be funded by the Public Sector Low Carbon Skills Fund. As an essential part of the application process, it is one with which we are wholly familiar. We understand what information is required by the scheme providers and can aid you in assessing the needs of your building and its suitability for energy efficiency upgrades. Our team is vastly experienced and a full turn-key approach is available to support public sector businesses in developing a proposal with a high likelihood of success.
Following success at the grant stage, we will already have a full understanding of your existing building’s capabilities and all of the planned improvements for which you will have received funding. This ensures that we will be able to conduct the necessary retrofits to a very high standard and with a rapid turnaround, allowing your business to realise energy efficiency benefits within the financial year.
In summary
There is little doubt that all businesses will have an important part to play over the coming years if the UK is to achieve its challenging government targets for net zero by 2050, as pressure to comply will continue to mount. We have the experience and knowledge to support you in making the requisite changes that will not only comply with government strategy but, where desired, exceed it so that your business can pioneer green operations and maintain a competitive edge.
To discuss your potential eligibility for this scheme, or any other current government-funded schemes, please contact our team today. We can support you right from concept through to full implementation and our friendly team will be very happy to answer any questions that you might have.
