Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
A government initiative aimed at helping large organisations identify and implement energy-saving measures, whilst reducing carbon emissions across the UK.
Through ESOS, organisations must conduct an audit of their energy-consuming activities every four years, to uncover cost-effective ways for cutting consumption and lowering emissions.
With Phase 3 of ESOS compliance now underway, companies are required to complete and submit their ESOS action plans by 5 December 2024 deadline, although the Environment Agency has announced an extension and will accept Action Plans submitted by 5 March 2025.
At Equans we make ESOS compliance simple. Our team manages the entire process - from data collection and audits to report submission - ensuring your organisation not only meets all the necessary requirements but also discovers new opportunities for carbon reduction and energy savings.
Get in touch
Contact our compliance team to discuss your ESOS compliance requirements
The next phase - ESOS Action Plan
As part of Phase 3 compliance, organisations need to submit an ESOS Action Plan by 5 December 2024. However, the Environment Agency has announced an extension and will accept Action Plans submitted by the 5 March 2025. This plan should outline strategies of how your organisation will reduce energy consumption, including expected savings and timelines. It must detail:
- Proposed actions to reduce energy usage
- Timelines for implementing these actions
- Recommendations from your ESOS assessment
- Expected energy savings over the four-year period
- Methods for calculating savings
A board-level director must sign off the action plan, which should then be submitted through the compliance notification system. Organisations are also required to submit an Annual Action Plan Progress Update by December 2025, detailing the energy-saving actions they have implemented.
Who needs to comply with ESOS?
ESOS applies to large organisation in the UK who must meet one or more of the following criteria to participate:
- Employees more than 250 employees
- Has an annual turnovee of more than £44million
- Has an annual balance sheet total of more than £38 million
How Equans can help
With extensive experience in ESOS compliance, Equans offers end-to-end support, ensuring your business meets all regulatory obligations while unlocking valuable energy savings. Our dedicated team is fully qualified to guide you through the compliance process from start to finish. We handle data collection, analysis, and report preparation, saving you time and resources. With our assistance, you can be confident that your business will fully adhere to all ESOS obligations.
Our services include:
Data collection and analysis
Our experts gather and analyse your energy data, ensuring comprehensive and accurate reporting.
Energy Audits
We conduct detailed audits to identify energy-saving opportunities tailored to your organisation. This includes a full assessment by our certified ESOS Lead Assessors.
Compliance Reporting
We handle the submission of all required compliance reports to the Environment Agency or relevant regulatory bodies.
Certified ESOS lead assessor
ESOS assessments must be reviewed by a board-level director and approved by a certified ESOS Lead Assessor. As experienced assessors, we ensure your assessment is signed off by one of our experts. We also handle the submission of compliance to the appropriate regulatory body, including the Environment Agency in the UK and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland. Additionally, we provide a detailed report outlining your organisation’s energy usage and potential savings.
ESOS supports IS0 50001
The data collected as part of the ESOS assessment is a perfect start on the road to implementing ISO 50001.
By operating to the internationally recognised energy management standard, your organisation fulfils the requirements of ESOS and will be exempt from further ESOS phases and gain the advantages of a fully developed energy management system
Equans has trained ISO 50001 implementers and internal auditors so can facilitate your ISO 50001 goals.
Combine all your compliance services into one simple partnership arrangement.
Our Certify service simplifies your regulatory obligations, eases administrative burdens and resource constraints and gives you peace of mind that your organisation is fully compliant with all the required standards.
Read our latest Insight article
Turn ESOS Phase 3 compliance into a net zero opportunity
Organisations can use the Phase 3 compliance window as a direct way to measure and assess energy use and carbon emissions and implement measures to reach their net zero targets.
Energy Compliance Services
Equans' energy compliance team can help ensure you are compliant with any mandatory or voluntary compliance schemes.