BEEP guidance booklet

www.beep.uk.net

BEEP supports Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) across County Durham to generate financial savings through energy efficiency and energy awareness.

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What is the Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP)?Durham County Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have come together to provide funding for County Durham SMEs to access free and bespoke energy audits.

The audits are designed to identify all areas where financial savings can be made in

your business, by eliminating wasted energy. We understand that every business is

different and want to find a solution that works for you.

BEEP can also offer a grant to help you with financial support towards the purchase

and installation of energy efficient equipment. The grant is available on a first come,

first served basis and can only be accessed if you have received a BEEP energy audit.

The grant does have limitations on how it can be used. For example it can be used to

fund most energy efficient improvements to machinery, heating and lighting but can’t

be used to improve the structure of a building. Generally speaking, if the equipment

reduces the energy consumption of your business, generates financial savings and is

not an improvement to the physical structure of the building, then it is likely that we

can fund it.

If you are in any doubt, or would like to find out more, get in touch at

beep@durham.gov.uk or visit www.beep.uk.net

The BEEP grant cannot fund improvements to windows or doors, we also cannot fund standard insulation such as loft or cavity wall.

www.beep.uk.net

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The BEEP team and partnersBEEP work alongside local and regional partner organisations to deliver the best possible results for businesses in County Durham.

The Business Energy Efficiency Project Team consists of five officers with extensive

experience delivering energy efficiency and renewables projects, European funded

projects and communication and engagement programmes across both the public

and private sectors.

The team are directly employed by Durham County Council and work to provide

independent advice and support to County Durham SMEs.

We are delighted to work in partnership with outstanding local businesses supporting

organisations like Business Durham, The Federation of Small Business, The North

East England Chamber of Commerce and Northern Powergrid. With their support,

we hope to reach as many SMEs as possible to help you generate savings.

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I want to make savings, how does the project work?

1Initial visit

During our initial

visit we will give

you more details

about the project

and explain what

we can do, what

we can’t do and,

most importantly,

discuss what you

would like to get

out of it.

We need to

confirm your

business is

compliant with

the rules we

need to adhere

to, so during the

visit we will ask

questions about

your business

to collect

information.

3Audit

Once we have confirmed that your

business meets the eligibility criteria we will

undertake the audit. We will walk around

your building(s) to take photos, make notes

and ask questions about your operating

hours and any machinery you operate.

4Results

2State Aid

Declaration

We need to be certain of the total amount

of state aid you have received within the

previous three consecutive financial years.

You will be provided with a list of examples

of what type of support constitutes

state aid, but it does include activities

like consultancy support, finance and

equipment.

Take a little time to think and search your records relating to any public funded support you may have received. Read the BEEP State Aid Declaration form and if there are any questions please do not hesitate to ask the team. Complete the form with as much accuracy as possible, including your signature and the date of completion.

Read the BEEP State Aid Declaration form

and if there are any questions please do not

hesitate to ask the team.

We will present

you with our

findings and

recommendations.

We will talk you

through the

actions we believe

would result in the

highest returns for

investment and

that will allow you

to recoup your

money back the

quickest.

0.5-1 hr 1-3 hrs 1-2 hrs2 hrs

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0.5-1 hr

6Decision

Although the final decision

is always yours, we will be on

hand to offer advice as you

shortlist and select a contractor

to deliver and install your new,

efficient equipment.

7Installation

We don’t have

to be directly

involved with the

installation, but

we are always

available should

you need us.

The installation of all equipment must be fully completed within six months of receiving your Grant Offer Confirmation Letter.

8Confirmations

Once all the work is

completed, we will

visit you and take

pictures of your

new, energy efficient

installation.

9Sign off

A few forms and a

few signatures.

5Procurement

Once you have our recommendations, you

can choose to apply for the BEEP grant to

support an energy efficient installation.

All procurement must follow ESIF National Procurement Requirements. You must be in receipt of at least three quotes from qualified contractors and the maximum value must not exceed £24,999. The quotes must be dated, on letterhead and detail the type and cost of equipment quoted.

You must be in receipt of at least three

quotes from qualified contractors and the

maximum value must not exceed £24,999.

0.5-1 hr 0.5-1 hr

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Am I eligible for support?BEEP is part funded through ERDF and, as such, we must follow the funding regulations that set out which businesses are eligible to participate.

To participate in BEEP, a business must be certified as an SME as defined by the

European Union;

“the category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 34 million”1.

A business must also:

• Have been trading for a minimum of 12 consecutive months

• Be based in County Durham

• Not have exceeded or be within €20,000 of the €200,000 limit for state aid

support received within previous three consecutive financial years

• NOT be in financial difficulty

To find out if your business can participate, please contact BEEP at

beep@durham.gov.uk, on Twitter @DCCBEEP or visit our website www.beep.uk.net

www.beep.uk.net

Fewer than 250 persons

1 User Guide to the SME Definition, European Commission; 2015.

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What is State Aid?State aid can be complicated to understand but it plays an important part in publicly funded projects like BEEP.

State aid is the process where the public purse provides direct assistance to remedy

an identified market failure. The use of state aid is carefully regulated and strictly

monitored to ensure the state does not adversely affect competition within a

commercial sector.

UK SMEs have the potential to receive a maximum of €200,000 aid from the public

purse within any three consecutive financial years; therefore, BEEP must be certain

that participation within BEEP will not take your business up to or over this €200,000

upper limit.

If you have any questions or concerns as to state aid, please get in touch.

business energy efficiency project

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Upgraded insulation and efficient boilers

State AidDeclaration

03000 265547

Our partners

business energy efficiency project Durham County Council

www.beep.uk.net

beep@durham.gov.uk @DCCBEEP

The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP)BEEP helps County Durham SMEs generate financial savings through energy efficiency.

Contact the team to find out if we can help your business.

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Publicity and marketingThere is strict publicity and marketing guidance that we must stick to. The BEEP team will provide the information and guidance you need.

Participating SMEs are required to

place a poster on, or as close as

possible to, any ERDF supported

installation. This poster must be

positioned in a predominant place.

Is there anything else I need to know?Just ask the BEEP team, we are always available to help. Email: beep@durham.gov.uk or online at: www.beep.uk.net

The BEEP team will provide you with the A3 poster. Please make sure it is placed in a prominent place.