ENERGY SAVINGS IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SME’S

      So as to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s), a project for reviews concerning energy consumption in these enterprises was launched in the Kymenlaakso region by the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso in co-operation with the Kouvola Region Federation of Municipalities and the Kotka - Hamina Region of Finland Ltd. The project has now reached a stage where concrete action can be taken by the participating enterprises.

      Providing assistance in the review expenses was considered important, since other public sources do not support these reviews due to the small size of premises used by SME’s. As a rule, the review expenses are divided so that Regional Council of Kymenlaakso covers 50 % of the costs, and the remainder is divided between the Kotka - Hamina Region of Finland Ltd and the Kouvola Region Federation of Municipalities, and the enterprise itself.

      The expenses borne by an individual enterprise vary between FIM 500 and 1250 + value-added tax, depending on the requirements concerning the technical systems used on the premises.

      The potential for energy savings has increased significantly as a result of the reviews. The reviews also reveal to an enterprise whether all necessary measures have really been taken so as to minimize energy consumption.

      The project is an ideal opportunity for SME’s to obtain an analysis of their premises and to utilize the available know-how in their own operation in a cost-efficient manner.

      Further information:
      Harri A. Holopainen, Business Agent,
      tel. +358 5 218 4074 or +358 400 656 579, fax +358 5 213 007.