About Target 2030

Target 2030 is a business energy efficiency project that aims to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire to achieve a change in their energy consumption, putting them on a more sustainable footing for the future.

This programme is now closed to enquiries. Please contact us for other Severn Wye business energy services.

The service is funded through the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Severn Wye Energy Agency, a sustainability charity with 20 years of experience supporting local businesses.

The programme is an extension of the Target 2020 scheme (2017-2020), and aims to support 360 Gloucestershire SMEs and 100 SMEs in Swindon and Wiltshire, offering two branches of support:

Free energy efficiency survey

A free energy efficiency survey from one of Severn Wye Energy Agency’s expert Business Energy Advisors, along with an analysis of historical energy bills and a detailed energy action plan report highlighting the key points and recommendations.

30% grant funding towards improvements

Following on from the survey you’ll be able to apply for partial grants towards installing recommended energy efficiency measures. Grants are in the range of £500 to £60,000. The grant is subject to meeting a minimum carbon saving and covers 30% of the cost of purchase and installation.

Waiting list for Gloucestershire grants

Boost profitability and competitiveness

Money saved on energy costs goes straight on the bottom line. For a business with a profit rate of 5%, a cut in annual energy costs of £1,000 is equivalent to increasing annual turnover by £20,000.

Target 2030 surveys typically identify annual savings of up to 30% on annual energy costs.

Improved working environment

A more energy-efficient workplace can often be a better working environment. With improvements such as modern LED lighting, better heating controls or reduced draughts, improved efficiency can result in a happier workforce and this can result in increased productivity or a reduction in absenteeism.

Make a genuine contribution

You will be contributing to national and international efforts to tackle big sustainability issues such as:

  • Energy Supply Capacity – can we keep the lights on?
  • Energy Security – can we guarantee we can keep the lights on?
  • Climate Change – go beyond merely offsetting to lower your emissions

Gain credibility as a high-efficiency supplier

Many firms are considering the environmental impact or carbon emissions of their supply chain. Highlighting how you reduce your carbon footprint can help with new or existing contracts.

Guard against avoidable costs

Energy efficiency can reduce maintenance costs; e.g. efficient lighting has a long life expectancy so requires fewer replacements.

Reduce maximum capacity charges on your electricity bills by installing more efficient equipment.

The public love a sustainable business

People do not like waste. Publicising the steps you have taken to reduce waste or environmental impact to staff and customers can help raise a company’s profile and inspire trust in its commitment to being a force for good in the world.

2019 National Energy Efficiency Awards

2019 National Energy Efficiency Awards

Large Scale Project
– 2nd Place –

2019 West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards

2019 West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards

Energy Efficiency Consultancy
– Winner –

2018 West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards - Commended

2018 West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards

Large Scale Project
– Commended –

Meet the team

Matt Williams

Matt Williams

Head of Energy Services

Matt leads the Target 2030 team, overseeing Severn Wye’s Business Energy Services, having been with the company for ten years.

A qualified and experienced Non Domestic Energy Assessor, what Matt doesn’t know about business energy efficiency probably isn’t worth knowing. Matt applies his practical knowledge and passion for simple, straightforward solutions to the programme, ensuring that you the client are supported throughout the programme and the time is taken to help you understand the very best approach for your business.

For any queries relating to the programme, or for expert insight to help you make sense of the many options available to you, Matt is your man.

  • Lvl 5 Retrofit Co-ordination and Risk Assessment (2019)
  • Retrofit Assessor (2020)
  • Professional Diploma in Retrofit Co-ordination and Risk Assessment (2017)
  • Diploma in Operational Ratings (2015)
  • Non Domestic Green Deal Assessor (2013)
  • Green Deal Assessor (2012)
  • Diploma in On Construction Energy Assessor (2009)
  • Certificate for Domestic Energy Assessment (2006)
  • BEng(Hons) Fire Engineering (1999)
  • Winner West Midlands region Energy Advisor of the Year 2014
  • Winner National Energy Advisor of the Year 2014 Membership
  • Member of the Energy Managers Association
Sarah Dittmann, Senior Energy Advisor

Sarah Dittmann

Senior Business Energy Advisor

Sarah supports local businesses by analysing their energy use and formulating an action plan with energy-saving solutions. Sarah assists with reporting and the processing of grant applications and payments.

  • City and Guilds 6176 in Renewable Energy in the Home (2015)

  • City and Guilds 6176 in Energy Awareness (2011)

  • Human Geography (BA Hons) 2008-2010

Neil Towler, Business Energy Advisor

Lisa Whitaker

Senior Project Manager

Lisa manages the Target 2030 project behind the scenes, tracking our progress against ever-increasing targets (targets we’re smashing) and ensuring we’re complying with our funders’ rules and regulations. Lisa also sits on the panel for approving grant applications.

  • BA (Hons) English Language
  • PGDip Environmental Management
  • City and Guilds Energy Awareness Level 3
  • Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Traditional Buildings Level 3
  • Safeguarding Level 3
  • Fuel Debt in the Community Level 2
  • Health and Safety in the Workplace Level 2 

Matthew Thompson

Senior Business Energy Advisor

Working closely with Target 2030 participants to identify savings across their sites, Matthew’s passion for sustainability and straightforward energy efficiency will help your business make the most of the programme and build towards a long-term low-carbon future.

Matthew has worked on many grant-giving projects across Surrey, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and has supported hundreds of SMEs in the process.

  • Master of Arts (M.A.),  Regional and Environmental Policy, Merit
  • Retrofit Assessor (training)
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc), Geography, Upper Second Class (2:1)
  • City and Guilds Professional Development Award Level 4 in Research
  • Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 4 Award in Leadership and Management
  • Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Energy Assessment
Neil Towler, Business Energy Advisor

Neil Towler

Senior Business Energy Advisor

Neil is a Severn Wye energy efficiency veteran. He has been advising, helping and guiding businesses across the region onto sustainable energy pathways for over 10 years. With this wealth of knowledge, he can ensure plans reach the right installers and capture the appropriate benefits.

Neil’s passion is for being on-site in the premises of the businesses he supports, investigating and understanding the sustainability changes and improvements that can be made.

  • Retrofit Assessor (training)
  • Level 3 City and Guilds Green Deal Advisor (6066 – 01)
  • Domestic Green Deal Advisor (2013)
  • ABBE domestic energy advisor level 3  (2007)
  • City and Guilds 6176 in Renewable Energy in the Home (2010)
  • City and Guilds 6176 in Energy Awareness (2009)
  • Open University T206– Energy for a Sustainable Future (2006)
Severn Wye logo

About Severn Wye

Severn Wye Energy Agency is a non-profit company and registered charity operating throughout Wales and South West England, supporting communities, residents and businesses to create a sustainable, affordable, low carbon future.

We have worked with over 900 businesses to date to assist them in lowering their running costs and reducing their energy use; maximising their profits while minimising their carbon footprint. Severn Wye offers a range of additional business energy services, including commercial tariff switching, water use audits, EPCs and energy efficiency surveys. Many are available at no cost to the client.

In addition to Severn Wye’s business services, we work with domestic customers, educational establishments and community groups to work towards a future of sustainability, free from poverty. For more, visit the Severn Wye website at severnwye.org.uk.

About ERDF

The European Regional development Fund (ERDF) is one of Five main EU Funds that work together to support economic development across all EU countries, in line with the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.

While the UK left the European Union in January 2020, the transition period entered immediately after this means that the funding for programmes such as Target 2030 are not affected for their duration.

The ERDF focuses its investments on several key priority areas. This is known as ‘thematic concentration’:

  • Innovation and research;
  • The digital agenda;
  • Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
  • The low-carbon economy.

The ERDF is funding the Target 2030 programme which is aimed at supporting SMEs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through improved energy efficiency, resulting in lower running costs and improved profitability.

It is hoped that there will also be a knock-on effect benefiting the local economy from the predominant use of local businesses to install the energy efficiency measures.

ERDF logo
Cover of the Target 2030 Client Guide
Download the Client Guide

For full details about the programme, we recommend that you download the Target 2030 Client Guide, and ensure you have read the programme Terms and Conditions before embarking on any energy efficiency measures you may be considering.