NORTH Somerset businesses can apply for up to £10,000 in support to install upgrades that reduce carbon emissions while lowering running costs.

The third round of Green Business Grants has been launched by North Somerset Council (NSC), which wants to here from firms looking to install energy efficiency upgrades.

Funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the grants aim to help businesses move towards more sustainable operations.

Large capital grants are now open to apply for from May, ranging from £5,000 to £10,000, requiring a carbon survey.

Smaller capital grants are also available, with applications closing at the end of May, ranging from £500 to £4,999.

Previous rounds of funding have enabled a variety of improvements and are expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 107 tonnes annually, the council said.

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Among firms to benefit was Outdoors & Active, in Weston-super-Mare, which has already seen strong results from the installation of solar PV panels.

Owner, Paul Batts, said: “Last week I ran the shop and put 150 miles on my car for 27 pence. Thanks to the solar panels and the battery, our electricity bill for April was only £8.

“We use any spare energy after running the shop and keeping the shop battery topped up to charge the car. This month running the car has been free.

“We started as a sustainable business in 2006 and generating our own energy has always been a goal.”

Businesses can apply for either a small or large capital grant, but not both.

The funding supports a wide range of energy-saving technologies, including: solar PV panels, air source heat pumps, other large-scale energy efficiency measures identified in a carbon survey, and more.

Businesses wishing to find out more should email climate.emergency@n-somerset.gov.uk to discuss additional proposals and confirm eligibility.

Cllr Annemieke Waite, executive member for climate, waste and sustainability at NSC, said: “Tackling the climate emergency means working together across all sectors, and our Green Business Grants are a vital part of that effort.

“By helping businesses cut their carbon emissions, we’re making meaningful progress toward our net zero targets while supporting innovation and energy efficiency in our communities.”

And Cllr Mark Canniford, executive member for placemaking and economy, said: “This funding is a real opportunity for local businesses to future-proof their operations, reduce overheads, and become more resilient.

“Supporting our business community to adopt greener technologies is not just good for the environment—it also strengthens our local economy.”