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Cheap labour CONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN used as cheap labour during the economic downturn, as a drop in demand has made jobs scarcer. London housebuilder, Telford Homes, told
Building.co.uk that it saved £1m in the last six months by negotiating cheap deals with contractors. Jon Di-Stefano, chief executive of Telford Homes, stated: ‘We’ve just been able to do well on individual contracts by buying at the right time.’ While cheap labour is often
tempting, in such situations contractors are losing out on vital employee benefits. It is hoped that the government announcement of £1bn of funding for infrastructure investment will improve the situation.
NG Bailey reports on sustainability
NG BAILEY HAS RELEASED its fifth annual sustainability report, following a successful year of carbon reduction. The report details the company’s successes in sustainability and demonstrates ways in which it remains committed to a sustainable future. In 2010, NG Bailey put in place its Target 2012 sustainability programme, committing to reduce costs, carbon, waste to landfill and water by 2012. The campaign has helped achieve a 13 per cent carbon reduction throughout the organisation’s operations, and an 18 per cent CO2
reduction in its estate buildings.
NG Bailey’s sustainability director Cal Bailey said: ‘It is exciting to be part of a company that has so much vision. Sustainability is vital for future growth and success and NG Bailey is at the forefront of new processes and technologies.’
Green Deal gets £200m boost
SOME £200M OF NEW AND ADDITIONAL government funding has been announced to provide an ‘introductory’ offer to boost the early take up of the government’s Green Deal energy efficiency scheme. The announcement follows the consultation on the Green Deal that was recently launched by the government. ‘We want the Green Deal to be a game changer for British consumers, who’ve been buffeted by global energy prices. The earlier you Green Deal your home, the quicker you’ll benefit from a warmer and cosier property as well as protect yourself from rocketing prices,’ said energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne. The funding announcement follows the commitment made by the chancellor in Budget 2011, in which he said that the government was committed to the
success of the Green Deal and would act to encourage and incentivise take-up, so that the Green Deal would appeal to households, businesses and prospective providers alike. The Green Deal framework will be launched from October 2012.
Forum drives electric vehicle future
Smart metering could save households £938m a year
SMART METERING installations could cut UK households’ electricity bills by £938m a year, according to an independent review of 100 smart meter pilots and rollouts across the world. The report identifies the kinds of activities and technology that are needed to maximise the energy saving benefits from smart metering. It shows that, if the technology and customer engagement are right, hundreds of millions of pounds could be saved by consumers in Britain every year, and that smart meters could make a significant contribution towards achieving EU goals of a 20 per cent reduction in energy use by 2020. The report demonstrated significant reductions in the amount of energy used by consumers, and when they use it. Replicating these savings in the UK will require the right approach and the
right kind of technologies. It found that, worldwide, customers who received an energy display with their smart meter achieved on average an 8.5 per cent reduction in the amount of electricity they used.
This level of saving across UK households would equate to £938m cut from electricity bills. Lower, but still significant, reductions were achieved from enhanced
bills showing detailed energy usage and web based displays.
Howard Porter, chief executive officer of BEAMA, said: ‘This research provides timely evidence from around the world that well-designed smart meter rollouts reduce customer bills. The interoperability of all smart metering systems is vital to allow the best customer experience and engagement.’
WITH SOME ESTIMATES suggesting 60 per cent of all miles driven in the UK will need to be electric to meet 2050 environment targets, it is critical that the advances we make today facilitate the growing electric vehicle (EV) market in the future. Energy, electrotechnical and motoring associations, vital to the success of EVs, have joined forces alongside government to help deliver charging infrastructure that will support the different sectors and companies, and ensure customers can drive electric vehicles with confidence. Energy Networks
Association (ENA) has come together with the British Electro technical Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA), the Energy Retail Association (ERA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), to form the UK Plug- in Vehicle Industry Forum to work with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Speaking of the need to deliver EV charging sustainably, ENA chief executive, David Smith, said: ‘With the future demands on our electricity infrastructure, it is critical we take steps now to ensure that when electric vehicles are plugged in, the lights stay on. We need customers who are wise to the demands they place on the energy network – through smarter customers and a smarter network, we can achieve an affordable lower carbon future.’
January 2012 ECA Today 7
SHUTTERSTOCK / JADDINGT
SHUTTERSTOCK / LASSE KRISTENSEN
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