Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Government has now published its response to the public consultation on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, which took place from July to October 2013.
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory energy assessment and energy saving identification scheme for large undertakings (and their corporate groups). The scheme applies throughout the UK. ESOS Energy Audits have the potential to increase businesses profitability and competitiveness by identifying cost-effective savings which, if implemented, will improve energy efficiency. The scheme is estimated to lead to £1.6bn net benefits to the UK, with the majority of these being directly felt by businesses as a result of energy savings.
ESOS is the UK Government’s approach to transposition of Article 8(4) of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, which requires all large (non-SME) enterprises undertake energy audits by 5 December 2015 and every 4 years thereafter.
The Government Response to ESOS sets out the outcome of the consultation on the final design of the scheme. Government has also laid regulations in Parliament to give legal effect to the scheme.
Guidance has also been published to help potential participants in the scheme understand their obligations.
If participants have any queries not addressed by the guidance can contact the Environment Agency ESOS Helpdesk.
The scheme’s regulations are published on the government’s legislation website.
More information about Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme can be found on the ESOS webpage.
Original consultation
Consultation description
Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU), requires all Member States to introduce a regime of regular energy audits for ‘large enterprises’ (non-SMEs) to promote the uptake of cost-effective energy efficiency measures. These audits must be undertaken by 5 December 2015, and then every four years thereafter.
The consultation seeks views on the UK’s approach to meeting this requirement through implementing a new Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). The Government’s ambition is to develop a proportionate and better regulation approach, which yields real energy efficiency rewards.
Email ESOS@decc.gsi.gov.uk if you have any queries or questions about the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme consultation.
Documents
Updates to this page
Published 10 July 2013Last updated 26 June 2014 + show all updates
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Government response published.
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First published.