Update on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

[edit] Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme amending regulations from 2024

ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for qualifying UK organisations (those defined as ‘large undertakings’) and administered by the Environment Agency (EA). New ESOS Amending Regulations have just been issued, which are set to become effective by the end of 2023.

[edit] ESOS Requirements and deadlines

Organisations that qualify for inclusion in ESOS must carry out ESOS assessments every four years. These audits - of energy use in buildings, processes and transport – should identify applicable, cost-effective measures to save energy and thus achieve cost/carbon savings. ESOS is now entering its third compliance period (‘phase 3’). Organisations that qualify for ESOS must meet the requirements of the new Amending Regulations and, for phase 3, must notify the EA by 5 June 2024 that they have complied with their ESOS obligations;

According to ECA Director of CSR Paul Reeve “Following requests from industry stakeholders, to help provide a sensible timeline for participants to meet the newly amended legislative requirements (and for assessors to carry out ESOS assessments) phase 3 participants have until 5 June 2024 to provide their notification of compliance – a six months extension from the previously expected (and now imminent) date of 5 December”.

As of 24 November 2023, the EA says an “updated online notification system is likely to be in place by the end of 2023”.

[edit] New Amending Regulations

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014 were amended on 27 November 2023 by the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (SI 1182) (the ESOS Amendment Regulations). These Amending Regulations introduce changes to ESOS that aim to make the scheme more effective. The new Regulations are at: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1182/note/made

EA guidance also shows/signposts to what is required to achieve and notify ESOS compliance at: www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-savings-opportunity-scheme-esos

[edit] Are you covered by ESOS?

ESOS applies to UK organisations (and their corporate groups) classed as ‘large undertakings’ on 31 December 2022. This means an organisation that either:

employs 250 or more people, or

has an annual turnover in excess of £44 million, and an annual balance sheet total in excess of £38 million.

This article appears on the ECA news and blog site aas "Update on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)" dated November 30, 2023.

--ECA

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings.

• Climate Change Act.
• Code for sustainable homes.
• ECA articles.
• Energy audit.
• Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme ESOS.
• Emission rates.
• Energy targets.
• Energy performance certificates.
• Green deal.
• Performance gap.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
• Sustainability.
• Zero carbon homes.