A FUNDING scheme has been announced to help businesses with energy-saving projects.

The announcement came at the first exhibition held by the Green PEA (Positive Environmental Action) project at Bournemouth and Poole College.

Green PEA aims to encourage businesses to save money by energy-saving projects.

Its exhibition attracted a variety of Poole-based organisations including schools, churches and businesses.

Vince Eckerman, of sponsor the AVC Group, announced a funding scheme for energy-saving projects, available to all members of Green Pea with a stable balance sheet and a longevity forecast of 10 years or more.

AVC will manage the projects, generating a return from a percentage of the savings made over the next decade so that organisations do not need to invest their own capital.

He said: “The moment AVC saw the Green PEA scheme we knew it was something we wanted to be involved with. It appeals to our philosophy of supporting local communities and giving something back in the form of reducing carbon emissions.

“AVC believe strongly in sustainable business and we can see the positive effects the Green PEA scheme has already had on the local Poole community.”

AVc has also sponsored the Green PEA website to be launched at the start of August.

The site will allow Green PEA members and delivery partners to conduct business, with a percentage of any business undertaken through the site going towards the scheme.

Simon Harrison, chairman of the action group that has established the scheme and representative for Poole Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Green PEA exhibition was intended to raise the profile of the scheme and to bring together all the stakeholders, partners and members to announce the new funding model.

“We are delighted that AVC have joined us to offer this innovative financing package and we are excited about the future for the scheme.”