What is the ECA scheme?

The Government introduced the ECA scheme in 2001 to encourage businesses to invest in low carbon, energy-saving equipment. As part of the Climate Change Levy Programme, it’s designed to help the UK reach its Kyoto target of reducing carbon emissions by 20%.

Climate change is becoming one of the biggest threats to our planet’s environment, and the biggest cause of this is carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels. Around half of these come from businesses and industrial processes, so it’s important that efforts to reduce emissions focus on these areas.

There are three ECA schemes which provide enhanced tax relief for spending on equipment which has environmental benefits: energy-saving equipment, water-efficient equipment and low carbon dioxide emission cars. This website focuses on energy-saving products and technologies.

What does the ECA Energy scheme involve?
The scheme provides a tax incentive to businesses that invest in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria. The Energy Technology List (ETL) details the criteria for each type of technology, and lists those products in each category that meet them. It is managed by the Carbon Trust, on behalf of the Government, and has two parts:

• The Energy Technology Criteria List (ETCL) is reviewed annually to ensure that it reflects technological progress. It sets out the qualifying energy-saving criteria for each class of technology. See how the energy-saving criteria have changed over the years.
• The Energy Technology Product List (ETPL), updated at the start of each month on this website, lists the products and technologies that are eligible for an ECA.

• Open to all businesses that pay UK corporation or income tax, regardless of size, sector or location.
• Provides 100% first-year capital allowances on investments in energy-saving equipment against taxable profits of the period of investment.
• All the products listed on the ETPL must meet the energy-saving criteria, published in the ETCL.
• Only spending on new and unused energy-saving equipment can qualify for ECAs.
• Capital allowances are available for spending “on the provision of” plant and machinery. This can include certain costs arising as a direct result of the installation of qualifying plant and machinery such as; transport of the equipment to the site, and some direct installation costs. Please refer to the Claiming an ECA section for more information.