North East SMEs get free micro-renewable support

The Micro-Renewables Project North East gives SMEs up to five days of independent, renewable energy advice and support that will help them invest in renewable technology measures.

Businesses will eligible for support across a range of micro-renewables, including wind, solar hot water, solar photovoltaics, hydro, heat pumps, biomass and micro-combined heat and power.

As well as helping SMEs reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions, the service is expected to help them navigate the myriad of technologies and suppliers in order to get the best solution for their business.

The service will provide SMEs with feasibility studies, which will assess a range of suitable options for the business and identify the most appropriate renewable solutions to meet their requirements for heat and electricity.

The feasibility studies will take into account cost, carbon savings, local installers, links to potential funding and provide explanations on how the technology works.

Launching as it has ahead of the introduction of the Government’s 'feed-in tariff' scheme in April 2010, it is is also expected to help them generate an income from their on-site renewables. The feed-in tariff scheme will create a financial incentive for businesses to cut their own energy consumption through selling any surplus energy generated by micro-renewable technology to the National Grid.

To be eligible, businesses must be located in the North East, employ less than 250 people and have a turnover of less than £44 million per year and a balance sheet of less than £37 million.

Project Manager, Ben Collard, of RENEW, which is tasked to manage the service, said: “By offering independent, funded feasibility studies we will help SMEs to identify the most suitable renewable technology for their organisation. Further support is available to help companies implement recommendations.

"It is hoped the project will stimulate the North East Low Carbon economy increasing technology adoption rates resulting in work for installers, consultants, engineers and long-term, the potential for manufacturing.”

The consultancy service is funded by One North East and the European Regional Development Fund.