ESOS2: What is it – an overview of what it means in relation to ESOS1 and what businesses need to do to comply

The ESOS2 (Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme) is quickly approaching with a compliance deadline of 5th December, 2019. But what is it exactly, how does it relate to the first phase (ESOS1), and what does your business need to do to comply in time? This is the first in a series of posts, which will help your organisation understand their obligations and meet the next compliance deadline. If you have any doubt about whether you must comply with the scheme, you can click here to find out.

Qualifying organisations are required to carry out the ESOS assessment every 4 years, to identify cost-effective energy saving measures of their buildings, industrial processes and transport endeavours. ESOS1 was launched in 2015 by the Environmental Agency as a mandatory energy assessment scheme. The deadline for the 1st phase passed on 5th December, 2015. 2,400 have been investigated for non-compliance. 10% of these organisations have chosen to participate and have begun the process to become compliant. Some non-compliant organisations are now entering a civil penalty process, the results of which will be publicly available on gov.uk website when they are final*.

ESOS2 is the second wave of this compliance process, which will close in just under 2 years from now. Considering the current enforcement from Phase 1, this should motivate organisations to identify what they need to do well-ahead of time. The Environment Agency has recommended that organisations start their energy audits now and start to identify how they can save energy. Although the deadline might seem like ages from now, there are several steps that must be carried out, which should be planned for accordingly.

These include:

  • measuring your total energy consumption;
  • conducting audits to identify cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities, and
  • reporting compliance to your national scheme administrator (the Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland, NIEA in Northern Ireland and NRW in Wales)

Identifying now what must be done will minimise any disruption or problems that could arise from current non-compliance, giving you ample time to conform before the deadline.

*Reference point: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/650722/Evaluation_of_ESOS_Interim_process_and_early_impact_evaluation_report_FINAL.pdf