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March 2012 ECA Today 3 Letters and emails
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The fallout from the government’s pre-Christmas Feed-in Tariff scheme (FITs) reduction imposition and subsequent legal action goes rumbling on for now, although the government has at least indicated a more stable path for managing the level of the FITs going forward. While the level of FITs subsidies will inevitably decline over time, it is hoped that the government’s proposals in its latest consultation document, which include regular six-monthly reductions in solar PV tariffs with automatic reviews and triggers, will at least avoid the sort of shock that rocked the solar industry late last year. While there has been increased demand for solar PV installations as a result of the challenge to the government in the High Court, this previously booming sector of the UK economy needs stability and predictability going forward if it is to maintain customer confi dence in future.
The last couple of months has also seen the arrival of Ed Davey as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at DECC, in place of Chris Huhne. He faces challenges in keeping the UK on track to achieve its tough carbon reduction targets, driving through programmes and policies such as the Green Deal. It will be interesting to see how he engages with the electrical contracting industry over the coming months. Another important development was the withdrawal in February of the proposed Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA) deal by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) (now re-named the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES). The ECA has described this development as ‘an important opportunity for the industry to move forward’ and is urging a collaborative effort from the industry to fi nd a solution that works for the entire sector and delivers sustainable change.
Inside stories
In this issue, we cover the latest on FITs (pages 24-28) and explain why there is still a positive business case for solar PV, even without the level of subsidy the sector previously enjoyed. We also look at how the nascent market for electric vehicles could provide new
opportunities for electrical contractors, through the installation of both domestic and public charging infrastructure (pages 52-55).
And, underlining the positives that collaboration can bring to the industry, we have
an article looking at new pilot integrated projects utilising new models for cooperation, and the way in which they can bring economic as well as operational benefi ts for all participants (pages 48-51). There’s plenty more inside, too, ranging from a preview of Ecobuild 2012 to articles on technology, marketing and training. Enjoy the read – see you again in May.
Phil Lattimore Editor
elcome to the March issue of ECA Today. So much for the start of the year being a quiet time on the news front. Since we went to press on the last edition of the magazine, we’ve had plenty to keep us tapping away at
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