The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) requires large companies to undertake energy audits including transport, buildings and industrial operations every four years. This is in accordance with the EU Energy Efficiency Directive.
All companies with either 250 or more employees or those with less than 250 employees but an annual turnover exceeding €50 million (approximately £40 million) and a balance sheet exceeding $43 million (approximately £34 million) are in scope of ESOS. Companies need to measure total energy consumption; conduct energy audits to identify cost-effective energy efficiency recommendations; report compliance to the Environment Agency (the scheme administrator)
- At least 90 per cent of total energy consumption is subject to ESOS.
- Only fuel purchased by the company will be covered by ESOS.
- Sub-contracted transport is excluded.
- There will be financial penalties for non-compliance.
An ESOS Lead Assessor will be required to conduct the audits. The Environment Agency has published an approved list of public bodies that hold registers of Lead Assessors. These assessors must meet the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 51215 Energy Efficiency Assessment – Competency of a lead energy assessor.
LeasePlan, with its commercial vehicle partner the Freight Transport Association (FTA), who can assist you with the next steps in an assessment.
The FTA’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme has been identified as a means for freight operators to compile data and take action to reduce carbon/energy usage for transport for ESOS. The LCRS is free to join and open to any operator with at least one commercial vehicle.
Find out more about the scheme here