PECT selected as a key delivery partner in Eastern New Energy Programme

The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and led by the University of East London, with a wider partnership comprising 23 organisations.

The aim is to build a stronger and locally focused low carbon economy in the region by providing support to a range of individuals and organisations, and by understanding and addressing the barriers to the ‘decarbonization’ of communities, buildings, transport, and lives. 

PECT’s role will be to provide grants to eligible small and medium-sized businesses in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, to help catalyse capital investments in energy efficiency initiatives. The long-term benefits to participating businesses are predicted to include reduced operating costs, increased competitiveness, business growth and resilience.

PECT is an independent charity educating and inspiring businesses and individuals to have more sustainable places to live and work, protecting and enhancing the environment to leave a legacy for future generations.

“The health and sustainability of our environment has never been so critical than at this time. The climate crisis we are facing has been further exacerbated by the economic, health and social challenges created by Covid-19,” explains PECT’s chief executive Carly Leonard. “This is a time of great uncertainty for our region’s businesses, and we want to support them to build resilience and long-term stability for a sustainable future.”

“We are delighted to be involved with this project, because our team has the unique opportunity to assist businesses wanting to focus on energy efficiency initiatives. Through its grant funding, ENE can help organisations to save money and incorporate sustainability into their operational plans.”

The PECT project team brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field.

The organisation previously supported over 270 businesses and identified £1.4million of cost savings and 6,500 tonnes of carbon savings that could be realised through recommended actions, through the Business Energy Efficiency programme.

Professor Darryl Newport, the ENE Project Lead Academic from University of East (UEL), commented: “The Eastern New Energy Project will help us to understand and remove the barriers that prevent us rapidly decarbonising our communities, buildings, transport and lives. In order to achieve our goal, we need strong regional partners like PECT who have a complete understanding of the challenges and the expertise to help unlock these barriers.”

He envisaged the project becoming an example for the rest of the UK.

The Eastern New Energy project’s goal is to remove the barriers that prevent us rapidly decarbonising our communities, buildings, transport and lives. The project will work with businesses, councils, communities, organisations, households and individuals to build new zero-carbon homes as well as retrofitting existing homes and commercial buildings, switching vehicle fleets to lower carbon alternatives, developing community and commercial energy projectsand new low carbon products and services.

The ENE project has received funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

If you are a small or medium sized business in the region who would like to find out more about receiving a grant, call 01733 882549, email [email protected] or visit www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene