An energy efficiency project for businesses run by a partnership of the University of Derby, and Derby City and Derbyshire County councils – and receiving investment from EU funding allocated to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – has been shortlisted for two awards.
The D2 Energy Efficiency (or D2EE) Low Carbon Project helps small and medium-sized businesses in Derby and Derbyshire become more energy-efficient, through grants and expert guidance.
It works with firms to lower their energy costs, reduce the amount of ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions they produce, and improve employees’ working conditions.
Now D2EE is in the running for the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment Sustainability Impact Award for Consultancy and Collaboration and the Association for Public Service Excellence Service Award for Best Renewable Energy or Energy Efficiency Initiative.
Since its launch in February 2017, the D2EE project team have carried out 400 energy audits of D2N2 businesses. These energy audits led to the application of grant-funded energy efficiency measures which have resulted in an annual carbon saving of 1,182 tons (more than double the target), the saving of over 3.5 million kWh of energy, and £355,000 reduction in energy costs for 166 businesses.
3.5 million kWh of energy is enough to power an estimated 220 average homes for a year.
If D2EE scoop these two latest gongs they’ll continue a winning streak of awards that includes the East Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards Council of the Year for 2018 and 2019.
European Regional Development Fund
The £4.6million D2EE project is half-funded through European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding; which comes via the wider £250m in European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) allocated to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The D2EE 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.
Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, job growth, and local community regenerations.
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Its work is part-funded by a European Union allocation of around €250million in European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). This is made up of the European Social Fund (ESF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) funding streams.
Clean Growth
D2N2 is fully committed to clean growth as part of our vision for creating a more prosperous and productive local economy by 2030.
Our aim is that by 2030, D2N2 will be a national pioneer in clean growth and a test-bed for world-class energy systems innovation.
For more read our report entitled D2N2 Energy Strategy 2019-2030.
Media wanting more information about the D2N2 LEP can contact Luke Stott, D2N2 Digital Marketing Officer, on 0115 9578749 or email: Luke.Stott@d2n2lep.org
