Here in the UK, just as in other EU countries and elsewhere in the world, the Government has stringent renewable energy and carbon emission targets to meet to lessen the impacts of global warming. Therefore, any reasonable measures that are being considered to help meet these targets should be warmly welcomed.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has put forward a plan suggesting that any company here in the UK that employs 250 people or more should be forced to be assessed for ways that they could utilise lower levels of energy when carrying out their business operation including the way that they provide light and heating for any buildings that they operate from. No doubt one of those ways could be by utilising solar panels.
It has been estimated by the Government that, if the recommendations placed before such companies as a result of an assessment were introduced to make them much more energy efficient, the value of the social benefits provided could amount to as much as 1.9 billion pounds. This would be due to carbon permit costs being lower and improved air quality.
Michael Fallon
(image credit: bisgovuk)
Michael Fallon, who is the Minister of State for Energy for the UK Government, believes that these energy saving assessments will indicate where large savings can be achieved and that any businesses taking forward the recommendations will quickly witness the benefits.
This proposal is rather timely considering that it was only in June that Ofgem issued a warning that there was an increased risk of power shortages in view of the fact that a number of power stations were closing. The UK is also seeking to obtain a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Although it is proposed that these assessments would be compulsory for businesses of the size referred to earlier, such businesses would not be forced to introduce the recommendations that may be made. It has been estimated that the average business employing 250 people or more may save as much as £56,400 per annum but only need to commit to spending around £15,000 per annum on conservation measures.
We shall keep you updated about the above.
