Knowledge Centre
15th December 2009
Small businesses are being invited to compete in an initiative to find energy-efficient solutions for Government buildings.
Part of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) programme - which aims to increase access for innovative SMEs to public sector contracts - the Energy Efficient Whitehall competition will see at least four Whitehall buildings being retrofitted to pilot new technology.
The idea of the upcoming initiative, which is run by the Technology Strategy Board, is to use research and development to cut down on energy bills. The Government says that it will save taxpayer money, while providing an opportunity for SMEs to demonstrate their innovations.
Departmental buildings lined up for the pilot include the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in Victoria Street, the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall Place, the Department of Communities and Local Government in Bressenden Place, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in King Charles Street.
The Government has set targets that would result in a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its offices by 12.5% by 2010/11, with 30% savings seen by 2020.
Energy and climate change minister Joan Ruddock said that "every sector of society will need to play its part" in the battle against climate change.
Gareth Kane, director of Terra Infirma - which helps private companies and public sector organisations improve their sustainability - told More Than Business News that retrofitting is "one of the key challenges" for cutting carbon emissions.
"There are many small innovative companies bringing forward technologies in this field," he added.
"The markets for these kinds of products and services are still weak and this could go a long way to strengthen them.
"I hope that in practice this competition is simple to enter so that very small businesses can compete on equal terms with their medium-sized rivals."
The competition opens on 22 February next year.
IMAGE Dave Thompson/PA Wire
Innovative SMEs offered chance to retrofit Government offices
Part of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) programme - which aims to increase access for innovative SMEs to public sector contracts - the Energy Efficient Whitehall competition will see at least four Whitehall buildings being retrofitted to pilot new technology.
The idea of the upcoming initiative, which is run by the Technology Strategy Board, is to use research and development to cut down on energy bills. The Government says that it will save taxpayer money, while providing an opportunity for SMEs to demonstrate their innovations.
Departmental buildings lined up for the pilot include the Department for Business Innovation and Skills in Victoria Street, the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Whitehall Place, the Department of Communities and Local Government in Bressenden Place, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in King Charles Street.
The Government has set targets that would result in a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its offices by 12.5% by 2010/11, with 30% savings seen by 2020.
Energy and climate change minister Joan Ruddock said that "every sector of society will need to play its part" in the battle against climate change.
Gareth Kane, director of Terra Infirma - which helps private companies and public sector organisations improve their sustainability - told More Than Business News that retrofitting is "one of the key challenges" for cutting carbon emissions.
"There are many small innovative companies bringing forward technologies in this field," he added.
"The markets for these kinds of products and services are still weak and this could go a long way to strengthen them.
"I hope that in practice this competition is simple to enter so that very small businesses can compete on equal terms with their medium-sized rivals."
The competition opens on 22 February next year.
IMAGE Dave Thompson/PA Wire
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