Energy Efficiency project wins regional award for second consecutive year!
21st March 2019
An energy efficiency project run by a partnership between Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council has been announced as a winner at this year’s East Midlands Energy Efficiency awards.
The D2 Energy Efficiency project offers eligible small and medium sized businesses in Derby and Derbyshire advice and funding to help them become more energy efficient. The project is the only one of its kind in Derby and Derbyshire and has been successful in retaining the title of ‘Energy Efficient Council of The Year’ for a second time.
The project teams’ work with local businesses has resulted in lower energy costs, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved working conditions for employees.
Since the project launched in February 2017, the team of four have carried out 354 energy audits and awarded grants totalling £897,000 to 150 businesses across the city and county. The energy efficiency steps taken by business using the grant funding will save at least 3,425,600kWh, 1,152 tonnes of carbon emissions and £342,000 per year. Put in real terms, 3,425,600kWh is equivalent to enough energy to power 210 homes for a year
The team is currently working with over 293 SMEs and is keen to engage with more local businesses; only 20 grants remain for eligible SMEs in Derby city! All businesses which are eligible for support receive a free energy audit, advisory report and up to 12 hours of free energy consultancy.
Further information on the project, including case studies and how to apply for support, is available at derby.gov.uk/d2ee. To stay up-to-date with the team’s activities, follow @_D2Energy on Twitter.
Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council commented:
“The D2EE project is continuing to provide a really valuable service to Derby businesses by supporting them in practical ways to reduce their carbon emissions and in turn, their business costs. We’re really pleased to have won this award which clearly demonstrates our commitment to supporting local businesses. The team work extremely hard and this award is recognition of that.”
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said:
“We’re delighted to pick up this fantastic award for the second year working with Derby City Council.
“Protecting and enhancing the natural environment along with supporting local businesses are all key priorities of ours and the D2 Energy Efficiency project has been very successful in helping many businesses throughout the county reduce their energy usage and costs.
“We’re encouraging all small and medium-sized businesses in Derby and Derbyshire to access the free energy audits and advice that the project offers.”
The D2EE Low Carbon Project is run by a partnership between the University of Derby, Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
