Grant funding is available to help Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Worcestershire to implement energy saving initiatives including LED lighting, heating and insulation and renewables. The initiative aims to support Worcestershire SMEs to make the transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.

Funding available in your area:

• 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

£1,000 to £100,000 in match funded grant is also available to eligible businesses implementing eligible energy efficiency measures through the pilot Business Energy Advice Service fund.

To check your location, please visit: Find your local council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project. Amounts available is subject to change.

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
• energy management

SME’s that participate in this grant initiative, can enjoy numerous benefits 
Cost savings: Energy-saving initiatives can lead to reduced energy bills and operational costs over the longer term.

Environmental impact: By adopting sustainable practices, SMEs can significantly lower their carbon emissions and contribute to a greener environment. 

Competitive advantage: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility can enhance a business’s reputation and for some businesses, supply chains will need you to demonstrate how you are acting responsibly.

To receive support through the programme, your business must:

• be a SME*
• be registered to an address in Worcestershire
• be below the Subsidy Control threshold of £315,000 over the previous 3 years, including the value of the support

*The definition of an SME eligible for grant funding 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

To apply for this grant, your business should have received a decarbonisation review or a similar type of energy efficiency review. This may be obtained either through our current programme or a similar/ previous programme such as, the Business Energy Efficiency Programme and the Low Carbon Opportunities Programme.

To apply, please submit an expression of interest via email at grants@worcestershire.gov.uk. You will then receive guidance on the full application processes and a link to the online application portal.

All grant applications are subject to a competitive process and are evaluated against programme and eligibility criteria by a grant appraisal panel.

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 fund prospectus.

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.