Leeds City Region businesses saving enough energy to make 48 million cups of tea

As the UN’s international climate change talks to tackle global warming come to a close today in Germany, a little closer to home, businesses in the region are reducing carbon emissions and saving energy thanks to support from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Resource Efficiency Fund.

Celebrating one year since its launch, the Resource Efficiency Fund (REF) project, provides support and advice to businesses on how to save money through more efficient use of energy, water and waste. Funded through the European Regional Development Fund and the Local Growth Fund, the REF can provide eligible businesses with a free resource efficiency assessment and access to grant funding.

In the first year alone as well as saving money, businesses have saved over 840 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent emissions saving of taking over 450 cars off the road. Electricity savings amount to the equivalent energy required to make 48 million cups of tea (1,200,000 kWh) and gas savings equivalent to the annual gas used by 128 average households (1,600,000kWh).

Specialist manufacturer Leeds Galvanising and Powder Coating Limited, benefitted from support from the REF to identify that replacing a compressor with a new variable speed drive device would save both money and increase efficiency. As a result of the support from the REF, Simon Kelly, Managing Director of the company has halved his energy costs for compressed air, saving a massive £10,000 a year. The company has also reduced its CO2 emissions by 60 tonnes per year. The new modern and reliable compressor has improved the resilience of the production processes for many years to come.

Simon is delighted with the support and investment he has received and said:

“The REF has provided a great package of support and helped me to both identify the opportunity and provide the funding and support to make it happen. In addition to the financial savings, the REF has also helped improve our environmental credentials and that is increasingly important in today’s marketplace”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership said:

“I am delighted a year since it’s launch, the REF programme is helping businesses across the region to become more resource efficient and save money by reducing operating costs. The package of advice and financial support means we’re helping businesses to reduce energy, water and waste costs and minimise their impact on the environment. This is great news for the business, the region and the economy as a whole.”

To find out more, please visit www.the-lep.com/business or call our Business Growth Service on 0113 348 1818.