Case study

BZP Hotels Ltd

BZP Hotels Ltd were successful in applying for GEP grant funding which enabled them to purchase and install a 41.6kW Solar Panel system and 8 EV chargers at their hotel in Willington.  This has resulted in considerable reduction in electricity bills and has contributed to the business making great steps in reducing its carbon footprint.

BZP Hotels Ltd is a small hotel group operating two sites, one in Willington, Derbyshire and the other in Leicester. The company was incorporated in 2013 by its two directors Tony Zucker and Pervinder Bhalla.

Why engage with the Green Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)?

When BZP Hotels first applied to GEP in October 2022, they had already started introducing decarbonisation measures such as installing a new heat pump as well as energy efficient LED lighting throughout the hotel complete with motion sensors in communal areas.

As heavy consumers of electricity, the introduction of roof mounted solar panels was seen as an essential next phase of their plans, with it having both significant cost and energy saving potential.

BZP Hotels were successful in applying for GEP grant funding of £19,120, which enabled them to purchase and install a roof mounted solar panel system on their property with the potential to generate in excess of 33,000 kWh of green energy per year.

Tony Zucker commented that “the impact of the solar panel investment has been significant with electricity bills having halved during the summer months and are up to 20% lower on an annualised basis, none of which would have been possible without the funding support from GEP”.

Keen to continue on their net zero carbon journey and further invest in ‘green’ initiatives at the site, BZP Hotels successfully applied for further grant funding from GEP in November 2023, with a project to install 8 EV chargers for use by hotel residents, staff and any customers using Willington Services.

What has been the impact of GEP?

Following the successful delivery of both projects, Tony Zucker, commented “BZP Hotels participation in the GEP programme has been critical in enabling the Ibis Budget Derby to make great strides in terms of reducing its carbon footprint but also its profitability trajectory. We are extremely grateful for the support and hope similar programmes are available in the future to encourage and enable other companies to invest in decarbonisation measures”.