Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a regulated and enforced UK energy assessment programme which large organisations must comply with every four years. Phase 3 is currently live and businesses can work towards compliance right now.
What does ESOS mean?
ESOS requires large organisations to carry out an assessment of the energy used in their buildings, processes and transport and to identify energy-saving opportunities.
Organisations must take part in ESOS if they, or any UK undertakings in the organisations’ group, qualifies as a large undertaking on the qualification date of 31st December 2022.
Assessments must be approved by an ESOS Lead Assessor and be completed by the third compliance period deadline date of 5th June 2024 (Note: The original deadline was 5th December 2023).
Does my organisation qualify?
A large undertaking for ESOS purposes is any UK undertaking that meets either one or both of the conditions below:
- it employs 250 or more people.
- it has an annual turnover in excess of £44 million and an annual balance sheet total in excess of £38 million.
You must also take part in ESOS if your undertaking is part of a worldwide corporate group which includes another UK undertaking that meets either of the above conditions.
More information on the eligibility criteria
You must also take part in ESOS if your undertaking is part of a worldwide corporate group which includes another UK undertaking that meets either of the above conditions.
Do we have to comply?
There are financial penalties associated with ESOS. More importantly, you won’t cash-in on the energy saving opportunities your business can exploit. In Phases 1 and 2, our clients found average savings of more than three-times the cost of compliance. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can see these savings, plus you’ll avoid the last-minute rush to compliance we saw in Phases 1 and 2.
Where do we start?
Your business should first confirm its qualification status and then conduct an ESOS Assessment. You’ll need to appoint an ESOS Lead Assessor to oversee this work and any energy audits that are required. You’ll have to submit notification to the Environment Agency and maintain compliance records too.
Tricarbon’s ESOS Lead Assessors can help you identify you best route to compliance. Get in touch
It is your responsibility to select an ESOS Lead Assessor with the necessary aptitude and experience to manage your compliance work. Several professional energy bodies hold approved registers of Lead Assessors. Our Lead Assessors are on the Energy Institute’s approved register, so you can be sure of our skills and know-how.
Yes. If your energy use is covered by an ISO50001-accredited energy management system, you don’t need to conduct an ESOS assessment; you just need to notify the Environment Agency of your status. Similarly, if your energy use is covered by Display Energy Certificates (DEC) or Green Deal Assessments, you need not conduct energy audits.
There are several different ESOS regulations related to non-compliance, attracting a combined penalty up to a theoretical maximum of £235,000. The penalty levied partially depends upon the number of days a business takes to comply after it has been notified of its non-compliance.
A full guide to the qualification, compliance and notification requirements for ESOS is available here.