Investing in energy saving improvements can be a financial challenge – especially for SMEs. The West of England Combined Authority’s Green Business Grants scheme offers financial support to help local businesses implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, making sustainability more accessible with £2 million of funding available.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- What the Green Business Grants scheme is and how it works
- Who is eligible for funding
- What types of energy efficiency projects are covered
- How to apply for funding
- How we can support you in securing your grant-funded project
What are Green Business Grants?
The Green Business Grants are part of the West of England Combined Authority’s low carbon business support services, funded by the West of England Recovery Fund and Green Recovery Fund. The grants provide financial assistance to SMEs looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, aiming to support businesses in adopting sustainable practices and lowering operational costs.
Eligible businesses can receive funding to cover a portion of the costs (up to £15,000) for energy efficiency improvements, making it easier to invest in long-term sustainability.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for a Green Business Grant, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Be classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
- Be located within the West of England region – Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
- Operate from commercial premises.
- Undergo an independent energy or carbon assessment to determine project eligibility.
Certain restrictions apply, and some industries may not qualify. Businesses are encouraged to check the full eligibility criteria and guidance before applying.
What Can the Grant Be Used for?
The Green Business Grants can be used to fund a variety of energy efficiency improvements, including but not limited to:
- LED lighting upgrades to reduce energy consumption.
- Heating and cooling system improvements, including heat pumps and efficient HVAC systems.
- Solar panels (PV) and renewable energy installations.
- Insulation and air tightness improvements to minimise heat loss.
- Energy efficient equipment that lowers operational costs.
Grant amounts vary, and businesses may need to contribute a percentage of the total project cost.
Examples of Successful Applicants
To give you a better idea of how the Green Business Grants can be used, here are a few recent awardees and their projects:
These local SME’s are already benefiting from funding to implement energy saving improvements. Could your business be next?
How to Apply
Applying for the grant involves several steps:
- Check eligibility – Confirm your business qualifies under the scheme’s criteria.
- Get an energy assessment – Secure an independent assessment to identify potential improvements.
- Submit an application – Provide project details, cost estimates, and supporting documents.
- Await approval – The funding body reviews your application and confirms the grant amount.
- Implement the project – Complete the energy efficiency upgrades and submit evidence for reimbursement.
Funding is available for a limited time, with the scheme likely to close for applications in Autumn 2025, and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
How We Can Help
Navigating the grant process can be complex, but our commercial energy surveys make it simpler. We provide the independent energy assessments required for grant applications, ensuring that your business meets the eligibility criteria, and help you to select the most effective and affordable measures. Our commercial energy survey service for grant support includes:
- Comprehensive energy assessments – Including on-site energy surveys, advanced diagnostic testing, energy modelling & performance analysis.
- Tailored recommendations – Based on your business’s specific needs and our assessment findings.
- Grant application support – We align our reports to align with grant eligibility criteria, ensuring you have the necessary data to support your funding application.
For the Green Business Grant, the West of England Combined Authority requires assessments to include:
- An estimate of your business’s utility use and carbon emissions.
- Identification of steps you could take to decarbonise. Consideration should be given to building improvements, operations/equipment improvements and behavioural actions where relevant.
- Calculations of estimates of utility and carbon savings for key recommendations, particularly those you intend to use grant for.
We have successfully helped numerous businesses and organisations secure funding for energy efficiency projects through our independent energy assessments. Our recent case study shows how we supported a community energy group in the Test valley to obtain grants for low-carbon technologies from Scottish and Southern Electricity Network’s Powering Communities to Net Zero fund.
By partnering with us, you’ll receive expert guidance throughout the grant process, from assessment to implementation.
What’s Next?
These grants provide a valuable opportunity for SMEs in the West of England to invest in sustainability with financial support. By securing funding, your businesses can improve energy efficiency, lower operational costs, and contribute to a greener future. Get in touch today for a consultation and take the first step towards securing green funding!
