Despite the recent implementation of the Government’s ESOS legislation, new research from npower Business Solutions shows that British manufacturers are both unaware of and underprepared for the ESOS assessments scheduled to take place this year.

The findings demonstrate that although the policy is designed to help large organisations cut their energy use, 49% of manufacturing businesses stated they were unaware of the scheme, while 45% reported being unprepared for the first of the Government’s assessments which are due by December 2015.

ESOS was developed following consultation with businesses and energy professionals. It is designed to help UK businesses become more energy efficient so that they achieve greater savings and greater emissions reductions.

According to the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), implementing some of the efficiencies highlighted by ESOS assessments could save businesses more than £250m a year by reducing consumption by just 0.7%. And where businesses are prepared to invest in measures with a payback period of two years or less, this figure increases to £1.6bn a year. However, failure to comply with ESOS will result in fines of up to £50,000 and possible charges of an additional £500 per day for up to 80 days. Conversely it is not mandatory for businesses to implement any of the energy saving measures the assessments will suggest.

npower spoke to over 100 decision makers at manufacturing businesses across the UK about how they manage their energy use and the extent to which they are prepared for ESOS. The overwhelming majority (62%) are already investing in energy efficiency, and a similar proportion (60%) said they have already conducted their own assessment of their company’s energy use in the past three years. Despite this, and with less than a year until the first assessments, 69% of respondents do not feel well informed about the requirements for carrying out an ESOS assessment.