The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Phase 4 deadline might feel distant, 5th December 2027, but most businesses underestimate how long full compliance actually takes.
The reality is that organisations that haven’t already started risk running out of time. Many businesses learned during Phase 3 that leaving compliance until the final year creates unnecessary risk, stress, and cost. This time, the margin for delay is even smaller and the consequences could be more significant.
Lessons from ESOS Phase 3
In ESOS Phase 3, the Environment Agency granted an eight-month extension to the compliance deadline because of portal delays and scheme changes. Even with that extra time, over 1,900 companies still missed the deadline and risked fines.
Phase 3 gave organisations four years and eight months to complete their audits and submit their evidence packs. Yet many still struggled to find qualified Lead Assessors in time, a challenge that intensified as the deadline approached.
Phase 4: No Extension, No Excuses
For ESOS Phase 4, the situation is very different. There will be no deadline extension, and organisations now have just two years and two months left to achieve compliance. That time disappears quickly once you factor in:
- 12 months of verifiable energy data
- Detailed on-site energy audits
- Analysis and documentation of savings opportunities
- Board-level review and approval
- Submission through the ESOS portal
By the time many companies start thinking about compliance, Lead Assessor capacity will already be gone. Add to that the limited number of qualified ESOS Lead Assessors across the UK, many of whom are already booked with ongoing projects or have retired, the need for early action becomes even more critical.
Why Acting Now Matters
Starting early gives your business a real advantage. It allows time to:
- Identify and implement cost-saving efficiency measures before submission
- Spread audit and compliance costs across budget cycles
- Avoid the year-end rush for assessors and data analysts
- Demonstrate proactive environmental governance to investors and stakeholders
But there’s also a financial and quality reality to consider. As demand for Lead Assessors and energy auditors increases in the run-up to the 2027 deadline, supply will struggle to keep pace. This imbalance is likely to drive up audit and consultancy prices, just as it did during Phase 3, particularly for businesses trying to book last-minute support.
When demand spikes, quality often suffers. Rushed audits, incomplete data, and generic templates can all lead to non-compliant submissions or reports that add little value. Choosing an experienced ESOS consultant early means you can secure the time and attention your organisation deserves and produce a report that genuinely helps reduce energy use, not just meet minimum requirements.
By securing your ESOS Phase 4 consultant early, you’re not only protecting your compliance position, you’re also protecting your budget and the quality of your outcomes.
How Earth Hub Can Help
At Earth Hub, we’re already completing ESOS Phase 4 audits for our clients. For organisations with multiple sites or large, complex operations, early booking is essential, not just to manage timelines, but to secure availability before the market tightens. Our ESOS Lead Assessors are working with businesses across the UK to plan and deliver compliance strategies that drive measurable energy and carbon reductions.
We provide:
- Full ESOS audits and data analysis
- Evidence-pack preparation
- Strategic recommendations aligned with PAS 51215
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting for future phases
The Countdown Has Started
There’s no extension coming and no last-minute grace period. If your organisation qualified for ESOS Phase 3, you’re almost certainly in scope for Phase 4 and with just over two years left, the time to start is now.
📩 Contact Earth Hub today to schedule your Phase 4 audits and secure your place before capacity tightens.