Net Zero Worcestershire Support

Desktop decarbonisation support (2 to 6 hours)

A specialist will complete a desktop review and provide a summary of the support/ advice.

Decarbonisation review (7 to 12 hours)

A specialist will visit your premises to carry out the review. For this level of support, your business or organisation must have a minimum energy spend of £5,000.

Extended decarbonisation support (13 to 35 hours)

This level of assistance supports more complex and specialist decarbonisation projects that require feasibility, specification and project management or decarbonisation reviews of large sites.

To receive support through the programme, businesses/organisations must be:
• operating within Worcestershire and have a Worcestershire business address
• for the 7 plus hours Decarbonisation Reviews: A minimum annual energy spend of £5,000

And either:
• an organisation responsible for a community building*

Or:
• a small/ medium size enterprise* including limited businesses
• a sole trader or partnership
• below the Subsidy Control threshold of £315,000 over the previous three years, including the value of the support

A community building is a building with the primary objective to improve the area, neighbourhood, and/ or community and its social welfare and recreation (it can include village halls, community halls, places of worship and youth centres but excludes schools.)

The definition of an SME is as follows:
• has fewer than 250 employees
• has either (a) an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or (b) an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million
• 25% or more of the capital or the voting rights are not owned by one enterprise, or jointly by several enterprises falling outside this definition of an SME
• does not own more than 25% of the capital or voting rights in an enterprise falling outside of this definition of SME

Excluded sectors not eligible for support include:
• Primary agriculture
• Schools
• Public sector funded organisations (unless parish or town councils)

Registering for the programme is simple, all you need to do is follow these steps:
• Submit an expression of interest via email to netzero@worcestershire.gov.uk
• You will then receive a unique link to the online application portal via email and instructions on how to complete your application
• A member of the team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or if further details are needed

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the Pilot Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) and Worcestershire County Council.

Worcestershire County Council is delivering UKSPF in Partnership with Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK shared prosperity find prospects.

The Pilot Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) offers free energy assessments and grant funding to implement energy efficiency measures to small and medium businesses in the West Midlands. The programme is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The assessment will provide recommendations for reducing energy costs and saving carbon in your business. This could include measures such as upgrading to energy-efficient lighting or optimising heating systems. Our energy advisors can help you to understand how to turn your sustainability aspirations into measurable actions.

Following an energy assessment, businesses can apply for grant funding:

• between £1,000 and up to £10,000 for renewable technology (District Council area limits apply*)
• up to £100,000 for energy efficiency projects (excludes renewable technology)
• Bromsgrove District: £1,000 to £10,000*
• Malvern Hills District: £1,000 to £8,000*
• Redditch Borough: £1,000 to £10,000*
• Worcester City: £1,000 to £4,000*
• Wychavon District: £1,000 to £9,500*
• Wyre Forest District: £1,000 to £10,000*

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the business will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project.

The grant can be used to fund a variety of business activities, including, but not limited to:

• lighting
• compressors
• insulation
• fast-shutting doors
• renewable technology
• heat recovery
• heaters and boilers
• energy efficiency equipment that leads to process improvements

If you would like to discuss the grant funding available to your business in more detail, please email: grants@worcestershire.gov.uk