BEEP guidance booklet · BEEP helps County Durham SMEs generate financial savings through energy...
Transcript of BEEP guidance booklet · BEEP helps County Durham SMEs generate financial savings through energy...
BEEP guidance booklet
www.beep.uk.net
BEEP supports Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) across County Durham to generate financial savings through energy efficiency and energy awareness.
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What is the Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP)?Durham County Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have come together to provide funding for County Durham SMEs to access free and bespoke energy audits.
The audits are designed to identify all areas where financial savings can be made in
your business, by eliminating wasted energy. We understand that every business is
different and want to find a solution that works for you.
BEEP can also offer a grant to help you with financial support towards the purchase
and installation of energy efficient equipment. The grant is available on a first come,
first served basis and can only be accessed if you have received a BEEP energy audit.
The grant does have limitations on how it can be used. For example it can be used to
fund most energy efficient improvements to machinery, heating and lighting but can’t
be used to improve the structure of a building. Generally speaking, if the equipment
reduces the energy consumption of your business, generates financial savings and is
not an improvement to the physical structure of the building, then it is likely that we
can fund it.
If you are in any doubt, or would like to find out more, get in touch at
[email protected] or visit www.beep.uk.net
The BEEP grant cannot fund improvements to windows or doors, we also cannot fund standard insulation such as loft or cavity wall.
www.beep.uk.net
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The BEEP team and partnersBEEP work alongside local and regional partner organisations to deliver the best possible results for businesses in County Durham.
The Business Energy Efficiency Project Team consists of five officers with extensive
experience delivering energy efficiency and renewables projects, European funded
projects and communication and engagement programmes across both the public
and private sectors.
The team are directly employed by Durham County Council and work to provide
independent advice and support to County Durham SMEs.
We are delighted to work in partnership with outstanding local businesses supporting
organisations like Business Durham, The Federation of Small Business, The North
East England Chamber of Commerce and Northern Powergrid. With their support,
we hope to reach as many SMEs as possible to help you generate savings.
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I want to make savings, how does the project work?
1Initial visit
During our initial
visit we will give
you more details
about the project
and explain what
we can do, what
we can’t do and,
most importantly,
discuss what you
would like to get
out of it.
We need to
confirm your
business is
compliant with
the rules we
need to adhere
to, so during the
visit we will ask
questions about
your business
to collect
information.
3Audit
Once we have confirmed that your
business meets the eligibility criteria we will
undertake the audit. We will walk around
your building(s) to take photos, make notes
and ask questions about your operating
hours and any machinery you operate.
4Results
2State Aid
Declaration
We need to be certain of the total amount
of state aid you have received within the
previous three consecutive financial years.
You will be provided with a list of examples
of what type of support constitutes
state aid, but it does include activities
like consultancy support, finance and
equipment.
Take a little time to think and search your records relating to any public funded support you may have received. Read the BEEP State Aid Declaration form and if there are any questions please do not hesitate to ask the team. Complete the form with as much accuracy as possible, including your signature and the date of completion.
Read the BEEP State Aid Declaration form
and if there are any questions please do not
hesitate to ask the team.
We will present
you with our
findings and
recommendations.
We will talk you
through the
actions we believe
would result in the
highest returns for
investment and
that will allow you
to recoup your
money back the
quickest.
0.5-1 hr 1-3 hrs 1-2 hrs2 hrs
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0.5-1 hr
6Decision
Although the final decision
is always yours, we will be on
hand to offer advice as you
shortlist and select a contractor
to deliver and install your new,
efficient equipment.
7Installation
We don’t have
to be directly
involved with the
installation, but
we are always
available should
you need us.
The installation of all equipment must be fully completed within six months of receiving your Grant Offer Confirmation Letter.
8Confirmations
Once all the work is
completed, we will
visit you and take
pictures of your
new, energy efficient
installation.
9Sign off
A few forms and a
few signatures.
5Procurement
Once you have our recommendations, you
can choose to apply for the BEEP grant to
support an energy efficient installation.
All procurement must follow ESIF National Procurement Requirements. You must be in receipt of at least three quotes from qualified contractors and the maximum value must not exceed £24,999. The quotes must be dated, on letterhead and detail the type and cost of equipment quoted.
You must be in receipt of at least three
quotes from qualified contractors and the
maximum value must not exceed £24,999.
0.5-1 hr 0.5-1 hr
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Am I eligible for support?BEEP is part funded through ERDF and, as such, we must follow the funding regulations that set out which businesses are eligible to participate.
To participate in BEEP, a business must be certified as an SME as defined by the
European Union;
“the category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 34 million”1.
A business must also:
• Have been trading for a minimum of 12 consecutive months
• Be based in County Durham
• Not have exceeded or be within €20,000 of the €200,000 limit for state aid
support received within previous three consecutive financial years
• NOT be in financial difficulty
To find out if your business can participate, please contact BEEP at
[email protected], on Twitter @DCCBEEP or visit our website www.beep.uk.net
www.beep.uk.net
Fewer than 250 persons
1 User Guide to the SME Definition, European Commission; 2015.
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What is State Aid?State aid can be complicated to understand but it plays an important part in publicly funded projects like BEEP.
State aid is the process where the public purse provides direct assistance to remedy
an identified market failure. The use of state aid is carefully regulated and strictly
monitored to ensure the state does not adversely affect competition within a
commercial sector.
UK SMEs have the potential to receive a maximum of €200,000 aid from the public
purse within any three consecutive financial years; therefore, BEEP must be certain
that participation within BEEP will not take your business up to or over this €200,000
upper limit.
If you have any questions or concerns as to state aid, please get in touch.
business energy efficiency project
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State AidDeclaration
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Our partners
business energy efficiency project Durham County Council
www.beep.uk.net
[email protected] @DCCBEEP
The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP)BEEP helps County Durham SMEs generate financial savings through energy efficiency.
Contact the team to find out if we can help your business.
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Publicity and marketingThere is strict publicity and marketing guidance that we must stick to. The BEEP team will provide the information and guidance you need.
Participating SMEs are required to
place a poster on, or as close as
possible to, any ERDF supported
installation. This poster must be
positioned in a predominant place.
Is there anything else I need to know?Just ask the BEEP team, we are always available to help. Email: [email protected] or online at: www.beep.uk.net
The BEEP team will provide you with the A3 poster. Please make sure it is placed in a prominent place.