2026 Update: PSDS & IETF closed. Full Expensing permanent. 2026 active stack still delivers 40–60% effective subsidy. See 2026 grants →

Greater London · Energy Efficiency

Commercial Energy Efficiency Packages in London

Solar PV, LED lighting, insulation, heat pumps, smart controls and battery storage — bundled into a single grant-funded project for London businesses. One survey, one contract, maximum funding.

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Energy efficiency funding in London

Bundling energy efficiency measures unlocks stacking incentives — often reducing net project cost to 40–55% of gross capex.

Full Expensing

100% first-year tax relief on all measures

Every qualifying energy efficiency measure — solar PV, LED, heat pump, BESS, smart controls, insulation, EV charging — qualifies for Full Expensing. 100% of capex deducted from corporation tax in Year 1. On a £400,000 bundled project: £100,000 CT saving at 25% corp tax. Permanent, no cap.

0% VAT

Zero VAT on qualifying energy-saving measures

Solar PV, battery storage co-located with solar, insulation materials and qualifying energy-saving controls qualify for 0% VAT under energy-saving materials rules. On a £400,000 bundled project, 0% VAT versus 20% saves £80,000 in Year 0. Maximum impact when all qualifying measures are contracted together.

Salix Finance

Interest-free loans for public sector

NHS, schools, councils and universities in London access Salix Finance interest-free loans for bundled energy efficiency packages. Repaid from energy savings. Typically 5–12 year terms, £50k–£3m+ per project. Open-ended, no competition, accepting applications continuously. PSDS Phase 4 closed but Salix BAU loans are open.

MEES Compliance

EPC upgrade as investment protection

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require commercial premises to achieve EPC E minimum to be legally let. Consultation is underway on mandatory EPC C (2027) and B (2030). Energy efficiency packages that improve EPC ratings protect London commercial landlords from unlettable assets and void periods.

What's in a London energy efficiency package

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Rooftop solar PV

Reduces grid import by 30–60% depending on roof area and demand profile. Foundation of any London commercial energy efficiency package. Qualifies for 0% VAT, Full Expensing, and SEG export income.

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LED lighting upgrade

Replaces T8 fluorescent and metal halide with LED — typically reduces lighting energy by 60–75%. Fast payback (3–5 years standalone). Qualifies for Full Expensing. Reduces heat load from lighting, improving HVAC efficiency.

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Heat pump installation

Replaces gas boilers with air or ground source heat pump. CoP 3.5–5.0 means each unit of electricity from solar produces 3.5–5 units of heat. Qualifies for Full Expensing and Salix Finance for London public sector.

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Battery storage (BESS)

Captures surplus solar for use during evening demand peaks. Increases self-consumption from 55–65% to 80–90%. Enables time-of-use arbitrage. 0% VAT when co-located with solar, Full Expensing on full capex.

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EV charging infrastructure

Workplace chargers funded via OZEV WCS (up to £14,000). Fleet depot chargers via EVIG (up to 75%). Co-located with solar for near-zero marginal EV charging cost during daylight hours.

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Smart controls & BMS

Building management system optimisation, occupancy-based HVAC, automated demand response. Typically reduces HVAC energy consumption by 15–25% with no structural changes. Full Expensing eligible.

Worked example — London commercial building

Full energy efficiency package for a 3,000 m² London commercial building

Gross capex
  • • 200 kWp rooftop solar: ~£140,000
  • • LED lighting upgrade (full building): ~£45,000
  • • 150 kW ASHP (boiler replacement): ~£90,000
  • • 150 kWh battery storage: ~£72,000
  • • Smart BMS + controls: ~£25,000
  • • 10× 7kW EV chargers: ~£28,000
  • Total gross: ~£400,000
Year 1 incentives
  • • 0% VAT saving (solar, BESS, insulation): ~£62,000
  • • Full Expensing at 25% CT: ~£100,000
  • • OZEV WCS grants (10 sockets): ~£3,500
  • Net cost after Year 1 relief: ~£234,500
  • Annual energy savings: ~£65,000
  • Payback on net cost: ~3.6 years

MEES and EPC compliance in London

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards create a compliance deadline and an investment opportunity for London commercial property owners:

EPC F & G
Already illegal to let
Since April 2023
EPC D & E
Consultation: illegal by 2027
Proposed: require EPC C minimum
EPC A–C
Compliant + premium lettable
Target for London commercial landlords

Energy efficiency in London sectors

Financial services data centres
Pharma & medtech (Stratford, White City)
Creative industries (Shoreditch, Soho)
Logistics & wholesale (Park Royal, Charlton)
NHS estate (Bart's Health, Imperial, Guy's & St Thomas')

Individual services in London

Energy Efficiency FAQ — London

Energy efficiency questions from London businesses

What energy efficiency grants are available for London businesses?
London businesses can access Full Expensing (100% first-year CT relief on all qualifying measures), 0% VAT on solar and qualifying energy-saving materials, Salix Finance loans for public sector bodies, and OZEV grants for EV charging. Bundling multiple measures in a single contract maximises grant coverage.
What does an energy efficiency package include for London businesses?
A full London commercial energy efficiency package includes solar PV, LED lighting, heat pump (boiler replacement), battery storage, EV charging, and smart building controls. Bundling all measures qualifies for the maximum available grant coverage and reduces installation cost through a single contractor mobilisation.
Does London have MEES compliance requirements?
All London commercial premises must achieve EPC E minimum to be legally let (since April 2023). Consultation is underway on EPC C by 2027 and B by 2030. Energy efficiency packages improving EPC ratings are investment-grade for London commercial landlords facing MEES compliance deadlines.
What is the typical payback for a London commercial energy efficiency package?
For a London commercial building with a bundled package: gross capex £150k–£500k. After Full Expensing (25% CT relief) and 0% VAT (20% saving), net cost is typically 40–55% of gross. Annual energy savings of £30k–£100k deliver 3.5–7 year payback on net cost.
Free funding review

Free energy efficiency audit for your London site

We identify every qualifying measure, model the savings, and return a bundled grant-funded project plan within one working day.

No obligation. We don't charge for grant scoping.

Commercial solar funding across the UK

We work alongside a network of specialist sites covering every angle of UK commercial solar — installation, finance, sector expertise and regional delivery. If your enquiry is a closer fit elsewhere, the team will route it directly.