After the scramble of activity leading up to the deadline, what lasting effect has ESOS delivered? Martin Jaehme, director at Teamwork Energy Bureau Services (TEBS), gives his thoughts in this sponsored post.
As we all breathe a sigh of relief now that the long hours worked to deliver ESOS assessments for our clients and ensuring they are all registered before the 5th December deadline (albeit now a slightly blurred deadline according to the Environment Agency), I am left wondering if all the fuss was worth it. What lasting benefit has been achieved by the Government’s imposition of ESOS on large businesses? Has it done any good in the long term?
I confess I’m a bit of a sceptic when it comes to energy legislation which seems to emanate at regular intervals from Brussels or the UK government and has a major impact on the work of all energy consultants. A bit like the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) which has seen huge change since its introduction in April 2010 and now appears in its true colours as no more than a Carbon tax. But let’s be positive: If the intention of ESOS was to raise the profile of energy in the boardroom of large businesses, them it might have had some effect. If the intention was to highlight benefits from investment in energy schemes, then yes, it has achieved that too. But are there any lasting effects or has this been a momentary blip until ESOS comes around again in four years time?
Well interestingly, a number of our clients are giving serious consideration as to how and when energy saving measures can be implemented. Some of our clients with a more sophisticated approach to managing their energy plant are looking to co-ordinate energy investments with their life cycle replacement programme. This approach requires financial justification only for the extra cost of highly energy efficient equipment when compared with the cost of like for like replacement. The result of this approach is a very cost effective return on investment, sometimes within 1-2 years but often only a matter of months.
Some organisations who lack the funds to invest now but who recognise the benefits of investing in energy savings schemes are looking to third parties to finance and deliver projects for them. Whatever financing route is chosen by clients, it seems one of the key objectives of the ESOS legislation is indeed being achieved when firms proceed to install recommended energy saving measures.
A further spin off from ESOS that we did not expect, is that a number of firms have asked us to help them attain certification for ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems. Our qualified assessors have been busy explaining the benefits from ISO 50001 have a lasting benefit and not least, it avoids the need for new ESOS Surveys in four years time.
Need to know the best way forward from here? Email me at martin.jaehme@tebs.uk.com or visit www.tebs.uk.com.
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