News
Grant cut condemned as new
Four eco-towns
share £60m for
feed-in tariffs are unveiled
new homes
n
The UK government thermal micro-generation in the Four eco-towns are to share £60m
has been criticised for run-up to the introduction of the to build more than 600 new homes
suddenly closing a grant system Shutterstock Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), to high environmental standards.
for renewables after announcing scheduled for April 2011. These new ‘eco-show homes’
its policy on feed-in tariffs (FiTs), a But the Solar Trade Association will be built in and around the four
clean-energy incentive. (STA) believes that the RHI does pioneering eco-town locations, in
The Renewable Energy not place all renewable energy Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire, St
Association (REA) welcomed the technologies on a level playing field. Austell in Cornwall, Rackheath in
move to pay a tariff to householders, It described the decision Norfolk and North West Bicester
businesses and communities to ‘single out’ solar thermal in Oxfordshire. They are expected
generating clean energy Feed-in tariffs ‘ the only funding scheme’ technologies to receive a rate of to include smart meters to track
But it claimed that the sudden return half that planned for other energy use, be properly insulated
closure of phase one of the Low able to submit their applications renewable heat energy sources as and built to the toughest ever
Carbon Buildings Programme in time and may potentially be disappointing, and blamed the standards, with systems for saving
(LCBP) has left renewable left out of pocket after submitting move on a lack of understanding of water and recycling or composting
customers ‘high and dry’. planning applications.’ This means solar energy. waste. Plus new energy projects will
According to the REA, some that FiTs are now the only funding The STA is seeking meetings with enable residents to take their energy
installers were given less than mechanism available to the general DECC about the issue. from natural sources.
an hour’s notice of the closure, public for renewables, he said. Meanwhile, the Combined Heat Funding will also be used for
which affects all new applications It was originally intended that and Power Association welcomed environmental education projects
for grants for electrical micro- the grant programme would remain the announcement that domestic and boosting the energy efficiency
generation. open until the end of March. micro-CHP had finally been of existing schools.
Stuart Pocock, REA’s head of The Department for Energy officially included in the FiTs policy, It is hoped the homes will
on-site renewables, said: ‘The speed and Climate Change (DECC) said describing it as a step in the right introduce nearly 2,000 people to
of the announcement means many the remaining unallocated LCBP direction. the idea of green living and save
homeowners will not have been funding would be focused on See News Analysis, page 14 them hundreds of pounds on bills.
Nearly a third of these homes will be
affordable.
Cairo plan for multi
By 2016, 10,000 eco homes will
Architects
be built in the four landmark areas.
use development
Hadid
Construction could also potentially
Rooya Group has appointed
Zaha
create and support up to 2000 local
Hoare Lea to provide jobs, including apprenticeships to
mechanical, electrical and public help advance new green building
health engineering services to skills.
its Stone Towers development,
a 525,000 sq m office, retail
and hotel scheme located in Atkins upbeat
the Stone Park district of Cairo,
Egypt. Designed by Zaha Hadid despite revamp
Architects, the development
comprises 18 buildings and will Multidisciplinary consultancy
include a five-star hotel, retail Atkins says it is still upbeat about
units with food and beverage its performance, despite major
outlets, and a main plaza with restructuring to its design and
sunken landscaped gardens. engineering business last year.
In its latest interim management
statement, Atkins said it continues
to conduct ‘significant restructuring’
Call for joined-up approach to apprenticeships
in its design and engineering
solutions segment of the business,
A call for government to adopt feasible for employers,’ said EAL’s be to offer employers a cut in National including scaling back its water
a more joined-up approach to managing director, Ann Watson. Insurance for the first two years of an operations business in the UK due
apprenticeships has been made by a ‘We are calling for two clear policies apprentice’s time with a firm. to a reduced workload.
body awarding qualifications in the on apprenticeships: first, practical ‘During these years, an apprentice In contrast, it is investing in its
building services engineering sector. support for employers with tangible spends the majority of their time nuclear and renewables sectors
EAL said the move follows the financial incentives, and second, for learning their craft, either in the to meet the anticipated increase
proliferation of new ideas and apprenticeships to be overseen by classroom or shadowing a more in demand. Atkins also revealed
incentives that have been introduced one government department.’ experienced employee,’ added that its international business is in
over the last year. Three departments deal with Watson. ‘What government must line with its expectations, and it is
‘While we wholeheartedly support apprenticeships, which can create a realise is that apprenticeships are a looking to expand its Middle East
the rationale behind these ideas, the lot of red tape, according to the EAL. It long-term investment, so it needs to operations.
government is neglecting what’s said a more practical incentive would offer long-term incentives.’ www.atkinsglobal.com
www.cibsejournal.com March 2010 CIBSE Journal 7
CIBSEmar10 pp06-07_news.indd 7 2/25/10 5:32:28 PM
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