ESOS – the deadline looms but only 1% of businesses are compliant

23/09/2015

 Nick Ainger, MD, AgilitySurvey

A resource management firm revealed today that only 150 companies out of more than 10,000 have carried out energy efficiency audits, which are required under the government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) by 5 December. This means that a staggering 99% of businesses are still not compliant.

ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for large organisations and businesses in the UK, meeting the qualifying criteria. Companies that fail to complete their energy efficiency audits – which must be carried out by qualified “Lead Energy Assessors” - face a basic fine of £50,000, plus £800 a day capped at a maximum of 80 days. The news today estimates that UK companies could be heading for total fines upwards of £900m if they fail to comply.

So, with a mere 73 days to go, what will the businesses who have so far ignored ESOS do? 

Without a doubt, we are likely to see a rush to compliance later this year as panicked businesses attempt to meet the deadline to avoid the hefty penalty fines. This means there will be a huge influx of phone calls from organisations trying to find a Lead Assessor with the capacity to take them on. This is a huge opportunity for all Lead Assessors. Those businesses that have already taken early action for compliance are now able to convert the recommendations from their assessment reports into practical cost savings – which is great. And many more are about to do so.

But, we are fully aware that Lead Assessors are few and far between – there are simply not enough to go around. The amount of work assessors will need to get through in such a short space of time seems insurmountable. Some assessors may even fail to deliver before the deadline.

This is where AgilitySurvey can help. Our team of expert surveyors and assessors are on hand to  prepare and smooth the way for assessors to carry out energy efficiency audits. We regularly deliver thorough and comprehensive energy assessments on all buildings (excluding plant and transport) including Display Energy Certificates, Non-Domestic Green Deal Assessments and Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificates. Having delivered some of the UK’s first ever EPCs, our experience is second to none. 

With the deadline looming, many assessors are struggling to deliver on time. Let us help you – email Nick Ainger or call 01296 311898.