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NEWS In Brief


RHI BIOMASS WARNING The charity Environmental Protection UK has warned that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) risks increasing air pollution in towns and cities. The scheme will make payments to households that install eligible systems, including biomass boilers. But fi gures recently released by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants suggest that pollutants from biomass systems could be causing 200,000 premature deaths a year.


WYG SELLS UK UNIT Consultancy WYG has announced the sale of part of its UK engineering business, Adams Kara Taylor (AKT) to AKT2 Limited, a company backed by AKT management and Tyréns AB for a cash consideration of £3.75m. WYG (then White Young Green) acquired AKT in November 2006; since then AKT has operated under WYG’s ownership as a near stand- alone entity.


ASSISTED LIFESTYLE FUNDING Up to £18m is to be invested by the Technology Strategy Board in a project aimed at showing how technology and innovation can help support older people and those with disabilities to live independently. It is hoped that the DALLAS programme (Delivering Assisted Living Lifestyles at Scale) will help to grow the sector within the UK. www.innovateuk.org


MERGERS ON THE RISE The number of mergers and acquisitions in the construction sector rose sharply in the fi rst quarter of 2011 – doubling the number of deals done in the last quarter of last year – according to Grant Thornton LLP. The fi nance company’s Construction M&A Tracker noted that there were 28 deals in January, February and March – the highest level of deals since the second quarter of 2010.


A two-stage process for the roll-out of smart meters has been revealed by government


Timetable set for mass roll-out of smart meters


● Minister announces two-stage process for widespread meter installation by 2019


A timetable has been set for the installation of 53m smart meters in 30m homes and businesses in Britain between 2014 and 2019. The Department of Energy and


Climate Change (DECC) has set out a two-stage process for the roll-out of the smart meters. The ‘foundation’ stage of the roll-out,


which is already underway, involves DECC working with industry, consumer groups and others to building and test the equipment, according to DECC. During this stage the government will also establish a company to provide data and communications services for the smart metering system nationwide. The mass installation programme will then begin in


2014 and is expected to take around fi ve years. Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said: ‘Smart meters


‘The roll-out will help us keep the lights on while reducing emissions’


are a key part of giving us all more control over how we use energy at home and at work, helping us to cut out waste and save money. ‘In combination with our plans to reform the electricity market and introduce the Green Deal for homes and businesses, the rollout of smart meters will help us keep the lights on while reducing emissions and getting the best possible deal for the consumer.’ By 2020, the average consumer of


both electricity and gas is expected to be saving around £23 a year on energy bills as a result of the new meters, according to DECC. Data gathered as a result will


allow energy companies to bill more


accurately and plan more comprehensively for the future, ending the practice of estimated billing. The announcement follows a consultation called The Smart Meters Prospectus.


For more information visit: www.decc.gov.uk


UK slips down green growth league


The UK is falling behind other countries in the race to meet environmental targets, as government cuts are seeing schemes delayed. In 2010, the UK ranked third in


the world for investment in green growth, but it has now slipped to 13th according to a report by the Pew Environmental Group.


12 CIBSE Journal May 2011 China now tops the table


with other developing countries, including India and Brazil, also outranking Britain. Ministers have been


debating whether to accept recommendations by the Committee on Climate Change that would require the UK to cut 1990 levels of carbon


emissions by 60 per cent for 2030. However, there are departmental


divisions between the Department for Energy and Climate Change, which wants to bring in tough targets to stimulate green growth, and the Treasury and Department for Business which would like less challenging targets as Britain recovers from recession.


www.cibsejournal.com


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