Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme (West Midlands and Warwickshire)

The below case studies showcase how energy efficiency improvements can help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills. Please note these businesses had received support from the Green Business Programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Please note grant values and eligibility criteria will be different for the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme which is funded by the UK Prosperity Fund.

Summers Joinery Limited Awarded £25,000 Decarbonisation Grant

Coventry-based Summers Joinery Limited, located in Alderman Green Industrial Estate, has received a £25,000 grant from the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, delivered locally by Coventry City Council.

Summers Joinery, a family-run business since 1973, employs 17 people and specialises in joinery projects of all scales and styles. In 2023, driven by a desire to reduce business costs and their carbon footprint, owner Lee Summers sought support from the Business Growth West Midlands team at Coventry City Council.

Following a free energy audit provided by the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS), a solar panel project was initiated. The total project cost of £50,047 was split equally between Summers Joinery and the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme.

With the company's large electricity load and 24/7 shift pattern, the new solar system will help reduce costs year-round. The installation is expected to save 8.4 tonnes of carbon annually and lower energy rates, enhancing the company's energy independence.

Lee Summers, Managing Director of Summers Joinery Limited, said:

"We are delighted to have received this grant, which has enabled us to make a substantial reduction in our energy bills—an invaluable support given the current challenging business climate. This advancement also significantly lessens our environmental impact and brings us closer to our net zero targets. We look forward to the possibility of further expanding our solar array in the future, continuing to enhance both our sustainability efforts and operational efficiency."

Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council said:

“It is fantastic to see another long-established Coventry business partnering with the Council on their net zero journey. Switching to renewable energy not only cuts costs but also supports sustainability. Thanks to grant funding we are able to offer free energy audits and grants of up to £100,000 to help local small and medium-sized businesses reduce both their energy costs and their carbon footprint – it’s a real win for local employers and the environment. I encourage all eligible businesses to take advantage of this support before the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme ends early next year.”

Warwickshire Business Expands with WBEAS Support and Energy Audit offered by Coventry City Council 

Harry Burrows Fabrications, a Warwickshire-based manufacturing firm, has significantly boosted productivity and reduced energy consumption following support from the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service (WBEAS). The company received a grant that covered a third of the £300,000 cost of a new laser cutter, enabling them to meet growing demand, cut energy use, and reduce annual CO2 emissions by 22.77 tonnes.

The new machine has transformed their production process, allowing them to work more efficiently and potentially expand their workforce.

The WBEAS initiative, part of the £4.6 million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme, is designed to help small businesses become more sustainable and competitive.

Read the full story on the Warwickshire County Council's website. 

Hillfields Supermarket receives grant for solar panel system from Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme

Hillfields Supermarket has been awarded a grant of £24,750 from the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, which is delivered by the Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) team at Coventry City Council, to support the installation of a new solar panel system that will power all of its business operations.

Established in 1989, this family-owned business has served the local community for over 35 years. It currently employs nine people and caters to a diverse range of ethnic communities, including Eastern European and Asian populations.

The business owner, Satinder Sandhu faced significant challenges post-Brexit due to increased costs for sourcing products from Europe. To mitigate these challenges, he focused on enhancing the business's energy efficiency, upgrading lighting systems to LED, and ensuring machinery operates efficiently.

At the beginning of 2024, Satinder sought further assistance from BGWM to explore additional savings. Coventry City Council provided a free energy audit to identify opportunities for energy and carbon reductions.

Following the audit, it was agreed that the business would invest £49,500 in a new solar PV system. Upon completion of the project, the business will be eligible to claim back half of the cost through a grant from the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ).

The business has also received a Business Support Capital grant of just over £6,500, which allowed them to purchase new fridge doors. 70% of energy costs were being used on refrigeration due to open refrigeration units throughout the store which are on 24 hours per day and therefore were always pumping out cold air directly into the shop.  The investment of £15,700 the business has made on the fridge doors has resulted in the cold air being retained inside the fridge, making the electric motors more efficient achieving future energy savings.

The new solar panel system is expected to save the business over £10,000 annually on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by more than ten tonnes every year.

Santinder Sandhu, the Business Owner of Hillfields Supermarket said: “Given the rising costs, we are doing everything possible to avoid passing them on to our customers. We have begun reviewing our energy usage to identify areas for further improvement. We are very pleased that the council has supported us in reducing our costs and lowering our carbon footprint.”

Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council said: "We understand how challenging the business environment is right now, and that’s why this support is so important and so valuable. Hillfields Supermarket is an excellent example of how taking advantage of the free energy audit led to a grant that delivered significant savings on energy costs. If you are a business with fewer than 250 employees based in Coventry or the wider West Midlands or Warwickshire, please act quickly—there are only a few months left in the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, and we want to help more businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprint."

Coventry nightclub switches to green energy with help from the Business Growth West Midlands team at Coventry City Council

Club 147, located on Far Gosford Street, has been awarded a grant of £24,000 from the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The grant facilitated the installation of a new solar panel array and energy storage batteries, allowing the nightclub to efficiently power its daily operations as well as its evening events.

Owned by Chris Mcturk, Club 147 opened in 2021 during the pandemic, a challenging time for the hospitality industry. Despite these difficulties, the nightclub has flourished over the past three years and has become one of Coventry's most popular nightlife destinations.

In 2023, Chris sought assistance from Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) Coventry City Council team and the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme to reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability. The process began with a comprehensive energy audit conducted by one of the council’s energy experts, identifying opportunities for energy savings and carbon reduction.

Following the audit, Chris decided to invest £49,000 in a new solar system and battery storage. This investment is expected to save over £6,000 annually on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by more than six tonnes per year.  The Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) covered half of the project's cost.

Grant funding helps local training provider reduce carbon emissions and energy expenses

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has recently been awarded a £9,000 grant through the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, delivered by the Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) team at Coventry City Council .

The organisation, which provides training to over 500 businesses annually, sought to minimise its environmental impact and reduce energy costs. They contacted the council and arranged a free energy efficiency audit, which can identify opportunities for significant carbon and money savings.

The subsequent report revealed that nearly 20 tonnes of carbon emissions could be saved annually if the business invested £18,000 in a new boiler, roof insulation, and LED lighting. Following the completion of these projects, the business was able to reimburse half of the costs through the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) funded by Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ). Along with the grant, the business expects to save over £10,000 a year on energy bills due to the improvements.

Sally Lucas, Executive Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training said:

"The grant application process was straightforward and easy to navigate, thanks to the support and guidance from the BGWM team at Coventry City Council. The grant has greatly improved our energy efficiency and resulted in substantial financial savings. Previously, our building was heated by outdated and inefficient boilers, and with rising energy costs, the grant has enabled us to upgrade our heating system and add loft insulation. We highly recommend the DESNZ Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme, as it has been a key enabler in advancing our net zero goals while also delivering significant financial benefits to our business."

Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council said:
“The total cost of the project was £18,000, with the grant able to cover half of the cost. As the business is now set to save over £10,000 annually, it will get back the investment within a year. This type of improvement really is a win, win – carbon savings and cost savings.

“I’d urge all businesses based in Coventry and the wider West Midlands and Warwickshire to take advantage of the DESNZ Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme support through BGWM while it’s still available.”