Birmingham City Council secures £15 million funding for business growth and net zero investment

The council has secured funding that will deliver £15m of capital grant funding to businesses across the West Midlands, the next stage of the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) grant programme.

It follows the success of the 2025/26 programme where the council helped unlock nearly £20 million of investment into West Midlands businesses.

During 2025/26, the programme supported 249 businesses to invest in energy efficiency improvements, helping them reduce operating costs, improve productivity and strengthen long-term resilience.

Key achievements included:

• 249 businesses supported

• £19.27 million total investment enabled

• £10.04 million of private sector investment leveraged

• £9.23 million of public sector grant investment deployed

• 22.1 million kWh of expected annual energy savings

• £4.76 million of expected annual business energy cost savings

• 3,026 tonnes of annual carbon savings

These investments have helped businesses across the region install energy-efficient equipment, renewable energy technologies and operational improvements that reduce energy consumption while improving competitiveness.

Building on Success

Applications for BEAS 3, the new three-year programme, are now open. Each year the programme is expected to:

• Invest £5 million in grant funding into approximately 125 SMEs

• Generate at least £5 million of private sector match funding

• Create more than £10 million of annual business investment

• Deliver 11.19 million kWh of annual energy savings

• Generate approximately £2.42 million of annual energy cost savings

• Reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1,547 tonnes CO₂e per year

Cllr Julien Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "I am delighted that the council has secured this funding, which further demonstrates our ability to attract, secure and deliver major externally funded projects that help businesses grow, invest, create jobs and contribute towards the city's climate change ambitions.

"It is fantastic to see so many businesses already being supported by this funding, and I would encourage others to apply. This support can help businesses cut costs, improve productivity and invest in their future."