- Outline
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Providing Free Energy Assessments and Grants of up to £100,000 for SMEs
What Does BEAS Offer?
The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) is a government-funded pilot programme designed to help businesses reduce energy costs and drive growth through free energy assessments and 50% match-funded grants. There is no payback required, and the programme supports the UK’s broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions. BEAS is funded by the UK Government through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Warwickshire County Council is the lead delivery partner for the Warwickshire area. Coventry City Council have been appointed by WCC to deliver the energy audits.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is also supporting additional business support activities as part of Business Growth Warwickshire.
BEAS Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the BEAS programme, businesses must meet the following requirements:
- Energy Consumption: Businesses must use at least 25,000 kWh of energy (electricity and/or gas) annually. If businesses do not know their usage, they can estimate it using their energy costs and unit rates.
- SME Classification: Businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million, or a balance sheet total under €43 million.
- Business Type: Must be a commercial entity or profit-seeking enterprise, such as a partnership, limited company, or Community Interest Company (CIC). Sole traders are not eligible.
- Commercial Address: Businesses must operate from a registered commercial address and not a residential property.
- Energy Bill Responsibility: Applicants must be responsible for paying their business energy bills for at least 12 months.
- Business Activity: Companies must be officially registered and active for at least 12 months, with financial records demonstrating operational activity.
How BEAS Works
Businesses applying for BEAS will go through the following process:
- Register Online – Businesses complete a simple registration form.
- Free Energy Assessment – An on-site review will be conducted, and a report will be created outlining energy efficiency recommendations.
- Grant Application – Businesses can then apply for match-funding of up to £100,000 to implement recommended improvements.
Register for a free BEAS business energy assessment
Benefits of BEAS & Testimonials
The BEAS programme enables businesses to lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and improve sustainability.
- WBEAS support takes brakes off Harry Burrows' growth plans
- Warwickshire Means Business - Efficiency means evolution
- Warwickshire Means Business - WBEAS grant process is easy but leads to big wins
- Warwickshire Means Business - Time running out to apply for game-changing WBEAS grants
- Warwickshire Means Business - WBEAS support invaluable to Technoset
- Spotty Pots boosts energy efficiency and reduces costs
- Energy advice service saves business over £2,500 per year on their energy costs
Energy Efficiency Improvements Covered
The grant funding can be used for a wide range of energy-saving measures, including:
- Solar panels
- Ventilation systems (fans, distribution, destratification fans)
- Heating upgrades (replacement boilers, burners, heat pumps)
- Energy-efficient lighting (LED, controls, sensors)
- Refrigeration improvements
- Insulation enhancements
- Recycling & waste management (compactors, balers, crushers)
- Water management solutions
How to Apply - Required Information
To apply for BEAS funding, businesses will need:
- Company House Number (for Limited Companies) or a Company Registration Number (for CICs)
- Recent energy bill details
Register for a free BEAS business energy assessment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are businesses required to apply for grants after receiving an energy report?
No, applying for a grant is optional. Businesses can decide whether to proceed with implementing the recommendations.
How long does the application process take?
- Standard applications typically receive a response within 72 hours.
- Arranging an assessment can take up to a month.
- The energy report is usually completed within 2-3 months.
- The grant application process can take up to 3 months.
- For businesses classified as ‘energy-intensive’ (using over 0.75 gigawatt-hours per year), the entire process can take up to 6 months.
Can businesses choose to implement only some of the recommended measures?
Yes, businesses can apply for funding to cover only selected recommendations from the energy report.
The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) is a pilot scheme led by the Mayor of the West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).
It is providing businesses across the West Midlands with free energy audits and match funding to cut their energy usage and bills. Warwickshire County Council is the lead delivery partner for the Warwickshire area.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is also supporting additional business support activities as part of Business Growth Warwickshire.
