Jes Rutter, md of energy efficiency specialist JRP Solutions, said the scheme would focus attention on an area neglected by some firms. “In my view, ESOS presents industrial firms with an opportunity to improve not only their environmental credentials but to make a significant and positive impact upon their bottom line performance,” he said.
Too few manufacturers took the subject of energy savings seriously enough, he added.
‘Huge opportunities’
“Having worked in manufacturing environments throughout my long career as an energy specialist, I am only too aware that, while some organisations take energy efficiency seriously, there are still huge opportunities to significantly reduce energy consumption,” said Rutter. “And I have been frustrated by the lack of commitment demonstrated by far too many businesses.”
With guidelines published last month, the new rules will make it compulsory for all large-scale energy users to conduct energy audits every four years. While small to medium-sized businesses defined as those with fewer than 250 employees will be exempt from the rule.
All other firms must complete an ESOS compliant energy audit before December 2015 to identify energy saving opportunities. But they will not be required to introduce any of the potential energy savings revealed by the audit.
New legislation
The new legislation is expected to affect up to 7,300 firms – including food and drink manufacturers – across the UK.
In order to help firms prepare to comply with the new energy audit rules, the Food Manufacture Group is staging a free-to-attend, one-hour webinar on the subject on Thursday September 18 at 1100 GMT. The online seminar Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme: switch onto savings will arm delegates with information about how the new rules affect their businesses and how they can turn ESOS to their advantage.
The one-hour online seminar will take the form of short presentations from the government’s Energy Efficiency Deployment Office, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), JRP Solutions and Arla Foods.
Speakers will include:
- Martin Adams, ESOS team leader, Energy Efficiency Deployment Office
- Steve Reeson, FDF head of climate change and energy policy
- Arla Foods spokesman
- Jes Rutter, md JRP Solutions
The webinar will end with a question and answer session. To put a question to our expert panel, email michael.stones@wrbm.com. Reserve your free place here.
Meanwhile, concerns about rising energy costs – together with the alleged abuse of supermarket power – featured in the annual Business survey conducted by our sister publication Food Manufacture. Read the results of the survey here.