UK businesses have 50 days to register for CRC and counting

UK Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker is urging businesses to register now for the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC).

Only 1229 organisations have signed up to the scheme out of an estimated 3000-4000 that are eligible, with just 50 days left until the end of the registration period.

“My message to businesses today is to register now,” says Barker.
But he admits that some organisations have found the scheme complex and says that he wants to hear suggestions on how the scheme can be simplified in future.

The CRC, which officially kicked off in April this year, requires large public and private sector organisations that use more than 6000 MWh of electricity a year to register with the scheme and start monitoring and recording their energy use.

Organisations that consume less than 6000 MWh but have half-hourly meter readings still have to register with the scheme as an ‘information declarer’, confirming their consumption is below the threshold.

Around 4500 organisations have signed up as information declarers, according to the Environment Agency, but around 15,000 are thought to be covered by the scheme.

Organisations that fail to sign up in time to the mandatory scheme could face hefty fines of up to £45,000.

Barker is keen to emphasise that as well as driving down carbon emissions, the scheme has the potential to help organisations make significant savings on their energy bills.

The London Fire Brigade, for example, which has already signed up to the CTC has saved £260,000 in the last year since it put energy efficiency measures into place.

“This isn’t just about protecting the environment, it makes excellent business sense,” says chair and leader of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Brian Coleman.

Organisations have until 30 September to register with the Environment Agency.

For further information:
www.decc.gov.uk/crc
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/crc

11 August 2010

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