The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory energy assessment scheme enforced by the Environment Agency, focused on helping businesses achieve energy efficiency improvements.

It requires qualifying organisations to report on their energy usage every four years, which can impact their energy efficiency rating. Recently, the Environment Agency announced new deadlines and commitments for Phase 3 compliance:

• Submit your notification of compliance by 6 August 2024
• Complete an action plan stating your energy-saving goals and projected energy bills reduction
• Submit an annual progress update that tracks your goals over the next two years

The action plan

The action plan is essential for identifying achievable energy efficiency improvements. It must be signed off by a board-level director (or equivalent) and submitted via the compliance notification system by the action plan deadline of 5 December 2024. An accredited assessor can be helpful in guiding your compliance process and ensuring your EPCS rate and energy efficiency rating are properly calculated.

Annual progress update

After submitting the action plan, you must complete an annual progress update that demonstrates your energy-saving actions and their impacts on energy efficiency rating and energy bills. 

The deadline for submitting annual progress updates is 12 months after the action plan deadline, and then 12 months after the submission deadline for the first progress update. For the third compliance period, the deadlines are 5 December 2025, and 5 December 2026. Each progress update relates to the 12-month period preceding the deadline.

The purpose of these updates is to provide an open report on your progress towards energy efficiency improvements and energy saving actions. The updates serve as an opportunity to gain a competitive edge by highlighting reduced energy bills and a stronger energy efficiency rating, beneficial if you plan to sell or rent properties. Failure to submit an update by the deadline will indicate no energy-saving actions were taken, as recorded and published. 

As stipulated by the Environment Agency, each annual progress update must include:

• A list of all energy-saving actions from the action plan implemented during the 12-month period covered by the update
• Any actions from the plan that were not implemented during the 12 month period, with an explanation if the date set for the action was during this progress period
• Details on whether each action was implemented by its assigned date
• An estimate of total energy savings expected from each implemented action over the 12 months leading up to the progress update
• Source data for each estimate, ensuring all information is clear for both accredited assessors and the Environment Agency
• A combined total estimate of energy savings achieved from all actions over the past 12 months

How can Zenergi help?

Navigating the complexities of ESOS compliance, including energy efficiency improvements and ensuring a valid EPC, can be challenging. Zenergi’s comprehensive ESOS service streamlines the entire compliance process, from data collection to accurate, on-time reporting. Our team, including accredited assessors, provides guidance at every step, helping you meet all ESOS requirements while working toward a better energy efficiency rating.

Our energy and carbon analysts calculate your energy consumption and identify potential energy-saving actions. With our support, you can improve your EPCS rate and achieve energy efficiency improvements that align with compliance requirements, resulting in substantial savings on your energy bills.

If you haven’t yet completed your ESOS Phase 3 submission, we can still manage the action plan and annual progress updates for you. Reach out through the form below, and one of our lead ESOS assessors will assist you in meeting compliance, whether you own a listed building or another property type you aim to sell or rent.