CRC registrations lower than expected so far

Just 3,280 organisations (or 16%) out of a potential 20,000 have so far registered under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, according to data published by the Environment Agency on 21 June 2010.

The window for "participants" to register closes on 30 September this year.  Participants are organisations that have at least one half-hourly meter and use more than 6,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year.

Around 15,000 organisations that have one half-hourly meter but lower consumption (and are therefore responsible for fewer associated emissions) have to report on their emissions but do not have to fully participate in the scheme.

According to the Environment Agency, the slow take-up is no cause for immediate concern given that this is the start of a new regulatory regime.  However, organisations expected to be full participants face a £5,000 fine if they fail to register by the deadline, plus £500 per day thereafter until they have registered.  Organisations that are required to make an information disclosure but fail to do so could be fined £500 for every half-hourly meter they have.

It is worth noting that manufacturers that already have an agreement to cut emissions under a Climate Change Levy Agreement could be eligible for an exemption from the CRC.

The Environment Agency have also pointed out a number of errors in the registrations received so far, with a common one being the reporting of energy usage data in kilowatt-hours rather than the required megawatt-hours - leading to a thousand-fold error. 

For help understanding and managing your participation in the CRC scheme, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.  Reducing your energy consumption will help the UK move toward a low-carbon future, whilst potentially saving you money in the meantime.