• • • TRADE SKILLS • • •
UPSKILL FOR THE MOST IN-DEMAND ELECTRICAL SKILLS OF 2026
New research shows that households are changing their behaviour to maximise the financial benefits on offer through the integration of low carbon technologies, including solar PV, EV charging, battery storage and heat pumps
By Mark Krull, Managing Director, Logic4training A
wave of policy shifts in 2025, from the UK Solar Roadmap to tougher requirements for new homes under the Future Homes Standard (FHS) and wider incentives for low-carbon heating, has increased demand across both retrofit and new-build sectors.
2026 will be a transition year for new builds, as the FHS is expected to become law at the end of the year. From the end of 2027, all new builds will have to be zero carbon ready, energy efficient and heated by low carbon sources, effectively mandating solar PV as standard on all properties. But customers are already investing in smarter, integrated technologies that lower bills and future- proof their homes, according to new research by Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), which points to significant market opportunities for electrical engineers expanding into low-carbon technology installations in 2026.
Growing market
Electrification is a key strategy for decarbonisation, a shift that is visible by numbers. By Q1 in 2025, the UK had around 18 GW of installed solar photovoltaic (PV), home battery certified installations reached over 26,000 in January alone,
and public EV charging devices exceeded 87,000 by November. These technologies are no longer niche, they are becoming part of everyday electrical work.
The financial case for homeowners is equally strong. Government data suggests UK households with rooftop solar and battery storage saved an estimated £471 million on energy bills last year.
Energy consumers are adapting Energy Systems Catapult’s analysis of 647 smart-metered homes provides critical insight into how households are adapting their behaviour to maximise low-carbon technology, demonstrating clear responses to economic incentives through time-of-use tariffs. EV drivers predominantly charge between midnight and 6am, while heat pump users show sophisticated load-shifting behaviour with pre-heating cycles timed to cheaper electricity periods.
The study also showed strong seasonal variations across all technologies. Winter EV charging increases by around 34 per cent compared to summer, heat pumps showed elevated demand throughout colder months, and even battery systems adapt their operation
seasonally. For engineers, this translates into year- round service requirements: installation planning in spring, system optimisation ahead of winter peaks and ongoing maintenance contracts that account for seasonal performance variations. The compound effect of multiple technologies presents expansion opportunities for workers with electrical skills. Homes combining heat pumps, solar, batteries and EVs show coordinated demand management that requires sophisticated electrical infrastructure and ongoing maintenance. As government targets push towards heat pump and EV adoption through 2026 and beyond, homeowners will increasingly seek qualified electrical engineers who understand these interactions. Perhaps most importantly for business planning, the study confirms early adopters are already creating local grid impacts and demonstrating successful technology integration. Your customers will be asking about these installations in 2026, not as experimental concepts, but as established solutions with proven operational patterns. Make sure your knowledge, skills and qualifications are up to date so that you can position your services to meet accelerating demand.
Immediate opportunities for electricians
Three key areas for expansion are:
1. Solar, batteries and EV charging – these key competencies provide high-volume, repeatable work well suited to local electrical businesses.
2. Whole-home integration – Become an expert in how low carbon technologies work together to reduce energy consumption from the grid, save money on energy bills and deliver long-term customer value. In some cases, homes can become net exporters of electricity to the grid or focus on consuming 100 per cent self-generated power, an exciting prospect for the right customer!
3. Specialist competence – MCS, EESS and manufacturer-approved installer lists are increasingly essential for accessing grant- funded projects and larger contracts.
16 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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