The new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) energy efficiency scheme was launched by the government in April 2010. Around 5,000 public and private sector organisations are required to register by the end of September, but so far only around 1,300 have done so. Failure to register can attract a fine of up to £45,000.
The CRC is aimed at making large organisations improve their energy efficiency. Organisations that have meters that measure electricity on a half-hourly basis are required to register on the Environment Agency website by 30th September 2010. Subsequently they must make an 'Information Disclosure'. If any of these organisations has an energy consumption of more than 6,000 MWh (as measured during 2008), they face additional requirements in order to fully participate with the scheme. These requirements include maintaining a detailed ‘Evidence Pack’, providing annual reports, and purchasing carbon allowances.
Failure to register will attract an immediate fine of £5,000, plus a further fine of £500 for each working day that the organisation fails to register. That’s a possible £45,000 fine, together with publication of non-compliance.
Registration to the Environment Agency’s CRC register will require organisations to do a number of things, including:
- Open a Government Gateway account
- Provide details about the organisation
- Nominate key appointments, where relevant
- Provide details of half-hourly meters and their total consumption
- Pay the appropriate registration fee, where relevant
NPS Group is supporting a number of its clients to achieve registration and meet the CRC scheme requirements. This includes:
- Preparing meter asset schedules to identify half-hourly meters
- Advising on CRC registration, evidence packs and other CRC scheme requirements
- Providing other energy and carbon reduction services to improve performance and reduce costs
For further information, please see our website page about carbon and energy management and contact our Strategic Carbon Manager Paul Cockaday on 01603 222717 or paul.cockaday@nps.co.uk.
