Small businesses across the West Midlands are being offered support to cut their gas and electricity usage.
Through the business energy advice service, firms can get a free energy assessment and then apply for up to £100,000 of match funding towards the cost of recommended measures, such as new machinery and equipment, improved manufacturing processes, LED lighting and insulation.
So far, 500 local businesses have signed up, with around 4,000 assessments on offer.
The pilot is led by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
The WMCA was selected to pilot the scheme as a result of its ‘deeper devolution' deal, in which it was agreed that the region would have more control over net zero funding.
West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: ‘It’s really good news that the £24m of government money we’ve secured will help businesses in all sectors and of all sizes to identify how to reduce their energy usage and support investment in long-term measures that will also result in lower energy costs in the future.
‘Protecting local businesses from volatility in the energy market in the longer term is how we’re going to achieve net zero, drive clean growth and enhance business resilience in the months and years ahead.’
