Last edited 07 Dec 2015

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme ESOS

Energy audits can be carried out on buildings or across organisations to assess their energy use and propose measures that might be taken to reduce energy consumption.

Article 8 of the European Union (EU) Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU), requires that member states introduce regular energy audits for large enterprises with more than 250 employees or turnover exceeding €50m (that is, enterprises other than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)). This is intended to encourage the uptake of cost-effective energy-efficiency measures. These audits must be undertaken by 5 December 2015, and then every four years after that. The scheme does not extend to public bodies and does not require that energy saving measures reccomended as a result of an audit are actually implemented.

In the UK, the government believes this offers significant opportunities for improving competitiveness and contributing to growth. The directive is implemented through an Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) carried out a consultation on how best to implement the scheme and proposed that as a minimum, assessments must:

Be carried out by and approved ESOS assessor.
Review the total energy use and energy efficiency of the organisation.
Recommend cost-effective measures to save energy and money.

The government intends that the ESOS:

Provides high-quality and well-targeted advice.
Ensures a proportionate approach to implementation, minimising the administrative burden.
Ensures the ESOS compliments existing energy efficiency and climate change policy.
Avoids ‘gold plating’ that disadvantages UK businesses.