Thousands still to register for CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
With 50 days to go until the end of registration for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme [the date is 30 September] Climate Change Minister Greg Barker reported that just 1229 of the organisations required to register had done so — leaving thousands still to register. Government estimates indicate that around 20 000 public and private sector organisations will be required to participate in the scheme in some way, and that most of them will simply be required to make information disclosures about their electricity usage.
All organisations that had at least one half-hourly meter settled on the half-hourly market in 2008 are required to act under the CRC. Users of more than 6000 MWh of electricity a year, around 5000 organisations, will be required to participate fully. Not only must these organisations monitor and record their CO2 emissions, but they must also purchase allowances equivalent to their emissions each year.
Greg Barker said, ‘This new coalition Government wants to boost energy efficiency in business because we know that saving energy saves money. The CRC will encourage significant savings through greater efficiency and, importantly, will make carbon a boardroom issue for many large organisations’
The London Fire Brigade is one organisation that has registered for the CRC. Energy-efficiency projects put in place by the brigade led to savings of £260 000 in 2009/10 and over £1 million since the brigade started focusing on the need to be greener. Despite the organisation growing, overall carbon emissions on its buildings are down by over 18% on 1990s levels.
Brian Coleman, chairman and leader of London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority said, ‘This isn’t just about protecting the environment; it makes excellent business sense. Last year we saved the taxpayer over a quarter of a million pounds by making our fire stations greener and reducing our energy bills.
There are fines for failing to register by the due date. There is a fixed fine of £5000 followed by £500 for each subsequent working day for up to 80 working days.
The aim of the CRC is to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by at least 34% on 1990 levels by 2020 through improved energy efficiency.
