The Low Carbon Project provides dedicated support and a source of funding to help local businesses reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Businesses benefit from fully funded support, including on-site energy surveys and access to capital grants for improvements such as low-energy lighting, insulation, and efficient heating systems.
In the first phase, the project supported 223 businesses with £3.2 million in funding. The second phase will run until March 2026 and aims to support a further 144 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham.
Sheffield City Council is leading the initiative, with the support of South Yorkshire’s other local authorities who are helping to deliver this support across the entire region.
The project is part-funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
We know many business owners want to reduce energy costs and do their bit for the planet, but it can be difficult to plan how to do this effectively, and to find the money to pay for carbon-saving measures.
That is where this brilliant scheme can help. Specialist advisors will help businesses identify where they can make changes that save budgets and tackle the climate crisis. Low carbon grants give businesses the financial support they need to make changes that will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, Chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council
The Council’s Business Sheffield team will continue to provide one-to-one support to local SMEs, guiding them from initial assessment through to grant application and implementation.
One Sheffield business that has already benefited is Barkers Furniture. With support from Sheffield City Council and Business Sheffield, the company installed ceiling insulation and solar panels, significantly improving the showroom’s energy performance.
We can already feel the difference in our showroom, in terms of the insulation, and we know that the solar panels are going to create a massive difference. We could not have been more grateful for the support from Sheffield Council and Business Sheffield.
Alexia Barker, Director of Barkers Furniture
Erodatools, a second-generation precision engineering company based in Sheffield, were supported by the Low Carbon Grant to install 240 solar panels on the roof of the factory it has owned for 52 years.
The new 102kwp photovoltaic system will generate more than 72,000 kwh green energy a year which will cut their annual electricity bills by an estimated £17,000 and reduce their carbon emissions by 14.07 tonnes a year.
As the business has grown, the amount of electricity we use has grown too and recent price hikes and shocks to the market have been challenging.
The Low Carbon Grant essentially means that the photovoltaic system will pay for itself within four rather than five years. It’s great to have it up on the roof and working, helping us to reduce our dependence on the energy grid and reduce our carbon footprint.
Caroline Healey, Works Manager at Erodatools
The Low Carbon Project is a key part of Sheffield City Council’s commitment to supporting a greener, more sustainable economy.
By helping businesses reduce energy consumption and improve operational resilience, the Council is driving forward its climate ambitions while supporting local economic growth.
SMEs across the region are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to future-proof their operations, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable South Yorkshire.