Government initiative to encourage efficient energy use

Ultra-energy efficient lighting could transform Britain's homes and energy use with a new Government initiative to encourage innovation and research in the lighting industry.

A £1.2m research fund from the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) aims to help companies become market leaders in the best ultra energy-efficient lighting, while contributing to reduced energy consumption in our homes.

Businesses will be invited to compete for contracts through a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, which will be run in two phases. In the first phase, companies will be awarded up to £40,000 to carry out technical feasibility studies, lasting up to three months.

In the second phase, proposals with the most promising technologies will receive up to £450,000 to develop and evaluate prototypes or demonstration units, which will then be subjected to a vigorous six-month field trial.

Environment minister Dan Norris said: “Moving towards a more sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient future is vital for our environment, but also offers great opportunities for economic growth and job creation. This exciting competition could bring enormous benefits both for British businesses and for consumers.

“The more efficient lighting is, the more money consumers save on energy bills and the economy will benefit from new jobs and new manufacturing helping Britain to lead the global market for low carbon technologies.”