ESOS – The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme

ESOS applies to all non-government UK organisations if, on 31 December 2022, they:

• employ 250 or more people; OR
• have both an annual turnover in excess of £44 million and an annual balance sheet total in excess of £38 million; OR
• are part of a corporate group that satisfies either of the above criteria; OR
• are a non-UK company that has 250 or more employees in the UK.

If your company meets any of the above criteria, ESOS applies to you. Qualifying organisations that fail to comply face fines that can escalate towards £100,000.

To comply with ESOS, all qualifying organisations must undertake one of the following exercises:

• Measure their total energy consumption for a 12-month period including 31st December 2022 and complete an ESOS-compliant energy audit that covers 90% of their energy consumption and is reviewed by a qualified Lead Assessor; OR
• Implement an ISO 50001 Energy Management System, covering 100% of their energy consumption, that is certified by a UKAS-accredited Certification Body.

ESOS occurs in four-yearly compliance phases and ESOS (Phase 1) completed in 2015. It is important to assess whether you need to participate in ESOS by the qualification dates on each phase.

For ESOS (Phase 2) the qualification date is 31st December 2022. The four-year compliance phase runs from 6^th December 2015 until 5^th December 2019. The compliance date for ESOS (Phase 2) is 5^th December 2019

For ESOS (Phase 3) the qualification date is 31st December 2022. The four-year compliance phase runs from 6^th December 2019 until 5^th December 2023. The compliance date for phase 2 is 5^th December 2023.