Quick answer: what business energy support is available in the UK?

UK businesses may be able to access support through grants, advice schemes, tax or rates-related reliefs, local authority programmes and sector-specific funds. In practice, many of the most useful opportunities are regional, time-limited or tied to specific technologies such as heat pumps, efficiency upgrades or industrial decarbonisation.

The safest approach is to treat this page as a starting point, then verify current availability on the official scheme website before applying.

Find relevant support in 3 quick steps

Some entries below are live schemes, while others are official search routes or examples of support categories. Always click through and confirm the current status before relying on any scheme.

Key schemes, directories and support examples

England & Wales Grant Heat & low-carbon heating

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

Upfront support for eligible low-carbon heating installations in homes and some non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.

  • Supports heat pumps and, in some cases, biomass boilers.
  • Eligibility depends on the property and technology.
  • Applications are typically made by the installer on behalf of the property owner.

Check current Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance

UK-wide Directory / Advice All themes

Ofgem business energy grants and schemes guide

Ofgem provides a practical guide to finding business energy grants, schemes and advice routes for smaller businesses.

  • Useful starting point for SMEs looking for efficiency-related help.
  • Includes signposting to advice and broader funding routes.
  • Better used as a discovery page than as a substitute for official eligibility checks.

Open Ofgem’s business energy grants guide

UK-wide Grant directory All themes

GOV.UK Find a Grant

The government’s grant search portal is one of the most useful ways to check current live funding opportunities by theme, sector and applicant type.

  • Includes live and time-limited grant opportunities.
  • Useful for checking what is open right now rather than relying on old lists.
  • Can surface energy, transport, net zero and infrastructure-related support.

Browse current grants on GOV.UK

Local / City-region Grant & Advice Efficiency & low-carbon

Local SME energy efficiency grants

Many local authorities, growth hubs and regional bodies run time-limited SME support programmes covering audits, efficiency upgrades and low-carbon measures.

  • Typical measures include LED lighting, heating improvements and general efficiency works.
  • Programmes are often region-specific and deadline-driven.
  • An energy audit or quote pack is commonly required before approval.

Search local and regional grants

UK-wide (industrial) Industrial fund High-energy industrial

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF)

Important historic industrial decarbonisation fund for energy-intensive industry. Included here because many businesses still search for it, but it should not be treated as a normal open funding route.

  • Supported energy efficiency and low-carbon projects for industrial users.
  • Useful as background context if you are researching industrial support routes.
  • Always check the current government page for live status before planning around it.

Check current IETF status on GOV.UK

England Tax / rates-related On-site generation

Green plant and machinery business rates support

Business rates rules can include relief or exemption treatment linked to eligible green plant and machinery. This is not the same as a simple grant, so businesses should confirm the exact route and current rules.

  • Relevant where businesses are investing in qualifying low-carbon or on-site generation equipment.
  • Rules and treatment can be technical, so official guidance matters.
  • Local authority and valuation context may also be relevant.

Read official business rates guidance

UK-wide / regional Advice Efficiency & net zero

Business energy advice and net zero support hubs

Many SMEs may benefit from free energy advice, audits or signposting before committing to capital projects or funding applications.

  • Often delivered through growth hubs, councils, chambers or partner organisations.
  • May include on-site assessments or practical action plans.
  • Sometimes linked to wider grant or finance opportunities.

Explore advice and support routes

How to use this page properly

  1. Use the filters to narrow down by location, support type and theme.
  2. Use the cards to understand the type of support that may be relevant.
  3. Always click through to the official source to confirm current status, eligibility and deadlines.
  4. Do not plan spend around a scheme until you have checked the live official page.

This page is designed as a practical starting point, not a guaranteed live database of every UK funding route.

How this fits with the rest of the site

Grants and support are only one part of the bigger commercial picture. Businesses still need to think about contract structure, broker clarity and switching timing when reviewing energy costs.

You may also want to use our broker comparison, Switching Guide, Contract Length Guide and Best Business Energy Brokers UK guide.