90% of UK organisations not registered for CRC efficiency scheme

Energy Efficiency News - Some 90% of the businesses and public sector organisations covered by the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) are yet to register, according to the Environment Agency. The scheme, which came into force on April 1, requires organisations on half-hourly metered electricity to report annually on energy usage and carbon emissions. After the first registration phase of the scheme, participants will have to purchase carbon allowances to cover their emissions.

Organisations will be ranked annually by the Government in a league table of the best and worst performers and those that show least improvement will be penalised. Participants in the scheme have until September to register with the Environment Agency, and heavier users – which consume more than 6000 MWh per year or spend over £500,000 a year – should have started monitoring energy use and carbon emissions already...The Government hopes that the mandatory scheme will save organisations around £1 billion in energy costs by 2020 and reduce emissions by at least 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 a year.