Manufacturing businesses urged to sign up to new scheme which will save energy and money

Manufacturing businesses across Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to sign up to a new programme which aims to help reduce their energy usage and costs.

The Business Energy Efficiency Cambridge and Peterborough (BEECP) programme has money available from the European Regional Development Fund to help small and medium sized eligible businesses improve their energy efficiency. BEECP is being delivered by Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), Groundwork and Nwes.

Support is available to businesses from a number of sectors, but manufacturers are seen as key potential beneficiaries. Looking at ways of more sustainable working which reduce environmental impact is now a priority for many manufacturing businesses as they have recognised the potential benefits.

A report from Siemens found that 79% of manufacturers agreed that managing energy is now a business critical function and 59% of those who took part in the research had increased their level of investment in energy management in the previous 12 months.

Antony Gough, BEECP Project Manager, said: “We are particularly interested in working with manufacturers because, as higher than average energy users, there is often significant scope to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

“BEECP is able to support small and medium sized businesses to take steps towards identifying and realising opportunities to manage their energy usage. The project offers eligible businesses a free energy efficiency audit which will help identify areas where cost and carbon savings can be made. There is also grant funding available to help businesses invest in capital projects to implement energy efficiency measures.”