Supporting business in Worcestershire with their Low Carbon Innovation

Worcestershire has set itself some ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, and to double the size of the low carbon sector in its Energy Strategy.

In response to this, Worcestershire County Council’s Low Carbon Opportunities Programme is here to support innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses within Worcestershire and Shropshire looking to develop their low carbon innovative ideas and technologies. The Programme has a successful track record and has already supported 41 businesses and paid out grants totalling approximately £410,000.

The programme offers a free bespoke 12-hour package of support to SME’s within Worcestershire (eligibility criteria applies), delivered by Shrewsbury Business Consulting Ltd who bring a wealth of commercial experience in the low carbon, renewable energy and the power engineering sectors.

One business who has recently benefitted from such support is Farm Green Energy Ltd. They are receiving funding and support to develop, build and trial a Biomethane dispenser to utilise local anaerobic waste and use it to replace the need for diesel by local transport companies and farmers. This will give these companies financial savings on fuel cost and drastically lower CO2 emissions.

Marco Bille, Director, commented “The whole process from grant application through to approval was seamless and professionally dealt with by the teams at Worcestershire County Council and Shrewsbury Business Consulting. We have received great support by Ewan from SBC, assisting us in planning all aspects of the business model; SWOT analysis through to budgeting and cash flow forecasting. The team at WCC were extremely helpful in the grant process and I look forward to working closely with them to develop this great innovation. We are hoping to trial our first biomethane fuelled tractor by the end of the year.”

The programme also offers funding opportunities up to £30,000. Some of the

areas that we can help fund are:

• Equipment and Materials
• Demonstrations and testing
• Research and assessment
• IPR Protection
• Accreditations
• Prototyping and demonstrations
• Marketing

For more information: Email: [email protected] or call 01905 677888 www.business-central.co.uk/locopinnovation/