ECA responds to Energy Bill Relief Scheme
Contents |
[edit] Welcome relief
Leading electrotechnical trade body ECA has welcomed the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, announced today by Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Jacob Rees Mogg to provide support for businesses facing sharp rises in their energy bills.
The support includes discounts on wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses and will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee for households announced by PM Liz Truss last week.
[edit] Warning
However, ECA has warned that immediate action is needed to prevent a shock to businesses when the scheme ends in March 2023. SMEs in the electrotechnical and engineering services sector are especially vulnerable to price volatility and need confidence to plan ahead.
[edit] Comment
ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs Andrew Eldred said:
“This morning’s announcement will provide welcome relief for an anxious electrotechnical sector which has already been hit hard by escalating material and labour costs.
“Our sector relies heavily on forward planning, and will be desperate to know how electrotechnical businesses will be supported after 31 March 2023, when these measures fall away.
“While this short-term measure gives us breathing space, we are eager to hear whether electrotechnical SMEs will continue to qualify for support in the same way as the hospitality sector.
“However, we remain deeply concerned that a focus on extracting more natural and shale gas will bring no short-term relief from the high cost of energy for UK businesses.”
[edit] Prices
The Government has set a Supported Wholesale Price – expected to be £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas, less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter – which is a discounted price per unit of gas and electricity. This is equivalent to the wholesale element of the Energy Price Guarantee for households. It includes the removal of green levies paid by non-domestic customers who receive support under the scheme.
This article was supplied as a press release by ECA on September 21 2022, with the same title.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.