The UK Government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) launched back in 2015 and required large enterprises to introduce a system of energy audits. These needed to be completed by a specified date and by a suitably qualified auditor. Implementation of the findings was not mandatory but the expectation was that companies would action some if not all of them where significant energy savings were found.
We are now moving into Phase 2 of the scheme, the qualification date being 31 December 2018.
Phase 2 has a deadline of 5 December 2019. Those companies that fall under the scheme need to provide audits by this date (to the EA, SEPA, NIEA or NRW depending on your registered company location). DECC has confirmed that if companies have an energy management system that is certified to ISO 50001 then this is sufficient to be deemed compliant with ESOS and no further action is required. If you are already working towards this certification, you therefore have 12 months to obtain it in order to be compliant. For those without ISO certification, you need to meet the deadline.
The EA has adopted a tougher approach for this phase, and have stated that they will not be extending the deadline and this must be met.
The EA’s original ESOS guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website; some useful information on Phase 2 of ESOS can be found on the Carbon Trust website: https://www.carbontrust.com/news/2017/06/esos-phase-2-has-arrived/