Environmental Consultancy

PECT can provide qualified Lead Assessors and other technical specialists to help complete your ESOS assessment

What is ESOS?

The Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) is a compulsory energy assessment and energy savings identification scheme for large organisations (and their corporate groups) in the UK.

ESOS has been developed to help companies become greener, and through doing so maximise the energy efficiency and economic benefits to participants.

The scheme applies to:

• An organisation that has 250 or more employees in the UK
• An organisation that has fewer than 250 employees but has:
  • An annual turnover exceeding €50 million / £39 million and
  • A balance sheet exceeding €43 million / £34 million
• Part of a corporate group that includes an undertaking that meets either of the first two criteria

Why was ESOS developed?

ESOS was developed by the government to help organisations maximise the energy efficiency benefits and minimise the administrative burden for businesses by using existing policies and requirements where possible to become accredited.

While energy efficiency makes sense for all businesses, there can be barriers to taking part in these opportunities: including underestimating the value to the business and a lack of access to trusted information about energy efficiency.

ESOS tackles this because:

• Senior Management must sign off the assessment and be aware of their organisation’s total energy costs and total potential energy savings
• Assessments must be overseen by a lead assessor, who must operate in an objective manner and be approved by an accreditation body

What does an ESOS assessment consist of?

The assessment takes into account energy directly covered by Display Energy Certificates (DECs), Green Deal Assessments (GDAs), or ISO 50001, including transport.

Organisations must identify at least 90% of their total energy usage and it is necessary to maintain records as an ‘evidence pack’ in case of audit.

An ESOS assessment needs to be carried out every four years. The qualification date for compliance period 2 is 31 December 2018. Proof of compliance must cover the period 6 December 2015 to 5 December 2019. Reporting must be completed by 5 December 2019.

Benefits of an assessment

• The ESOS report will identify and evaluate energy efficiency and management opportunities arising from procedural changes, behavioural changes and additional monitoring techniques
• It will evaluate the technical energy performance of buildings, components within manufacturing plants and vehicle fleets
• It will evaluate the technical feasibility and economic viability of specific opportunities for the reduction of energy consumption

The scheme compliance bodies have the authority to apply civil penalties against an organisation/group found to be required to participate in ESOS but to be non-compliant.

For all non-compliances, the compliance bodies will have the power to publish information about the organisation’s failure to meet the regulations, plus penalties can range up to £50,000 or £500 per day.

PECT will help you tailor your assessment process work to meet your organisation’s specific needs and ensure all work is overseen by an approved Lead Assessor.

To find out how we can help your organisation call 01733 568408 or email info@pect.org.uk.

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