Business Energy Scotland SME Loan + Cashback

What it is

This is an interest-free loan, not a grant — though up to £30,000 of it can convert to a cashback grant. Scottish SMEs, not-for-profits and charities can borrow up to £100,000 unsecured (repaid over 8 years) for energy-efficiency and renewable measures recommended in a free Business Energy Scotland report, with 75% cashback up to £20,000 on energy-efficiency measures and up to £10,000 on renewable heat, first come first served while cashback funds last. Loan and cashback are paid after installation, so you cover costs upfront.

Verified 2026-08-21 on businessenergyscotland.org/smeloan/: scheme open, loans up to £100,000, cashback 75% of eligible costs up to £20,000 (energy efficiency) + up to £10,000 (renewable heat), max £30,000 per business; requires a Business Energy Scotland recommendation report before applying; eligibility = Scottish businesses/not-for-profits/charities, trading 12+ months, EU SME definition, less than 25% owned by other enterprises, project work not already started; decisions typically within 10 working days; continuous (no deadline). Interest-free, unsecured, 8-year term and Scottish Government funding confirmed via mygov.scot/sme-loan-cashback-scheme the same day. The <25% external-ownership independence test has no exact engine field — folded into the SME rule description.