ESOS Phase 2 is here – Leading lighting manufacturer urges businesses to take advantage of early action.

The next phase of the Government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is underway, and while the deadline of 5th December 2019 might seem far off, the time to ensure compliance is now, says Tamlite Lighting’s Head of Sales, Marketing and Product Development, Colin Lawson. Echoing recent communications from the Environment Agency (EA), Colin Lawson says, “Tamlite believes companies captured under ESOS can reap long-term financial and operational benefits by embracing the scheme, and its focus on areas of energy efficiency, earlier and not later.

“Now in its second phase, ESOS provides a real opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of business and make significant cost savings by requiring large businesses to undertake comprehensive audits of their energy usage. However, EA data shows that many businesses are still in the dark about the requirements of the scheme and indeed where they can save the most energy.”

Colin Lawson offers his advice to SMEs impacted by ESOS on the reasons to act early, “The opportunities for making energy savings through ESOS are many and varied if the scheme is given enough consideration. Getting fully on board with the ESOS process is the best way to gain the maximum in financial and energy savings. Beware though, enforcement notices and fines are real possibilities of non-compliance. The time to make the changes, get the energy audit and start making savings is now.

“There are plenty of ways to use ESOS as a springboard for more than just energy savings. For example, a simple change such as updating warehouse lighting could also provide improved productivity, reduce eye-strain from poorly-lit areas and a better atmosphere for staff. Easy energy savings are important in themselves (statistics from the Carbon Trust show that lighting accounts for around 40% of business energy use) but it’s also vital to consider the long-term.

“When considering the most effective energy-saving measures for your business, you often don’t need to look too far in the first instance. With energy savings of up to 80% available as the result of a warehouse lighting upgrade, it’s no wonder so much emphasis on improving lighting has been placed in ESOS guidance documents.

Mr Lawson concludes, “Once you’ve identified the opportunities for quick-wins, you can then use them as a jumping-off point for further measures which may require a larger initial outlay. With the clock ticking, there is less and less time for businesses to get the maximum possible out of their ESOS reports. However, thanks to low-hanging fruit such as lighting upgrades, it’s easy for businesses to identify quick energy-saving measures in the first instance.”