GreenEnergy
scheme and an expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include other low carbon, energy saving solutions, consumers would see an immediate reduction in fuel bills, and carbon emissions would drop.
Of course, none of the measures discussed here or in the Energy Security Strategy would be possible without a skilled and competent workforce. The engineering services sector knows all too well about the risks involved when the people delivering ambitious projects are not suitable for the job.
And yet, no mention of upskilling or workforce training is to be found in this latest strategy. Who will fi ll the tens of thousands of jobs that will be created in the wind and nuclear sectors between now and the end of the decade?
Before it can answer that question, the wider construction sector urgently needs more support to raise training standards and upskill its people
“Our best bet for immediate results is to focus on retrofi tting our leaky and draughty housing stock. By creating better incentives for energy effi cient buildings… consumers would see an immediate reduction in fuel bills, and carbon emissions would drop.”
by boosting their training and qualifi cations. Contractors also need support to take on more apprentices and new entrants, whom they can equip to operate at the highest standards. Retrofi tting requires a holistic understanding of the UK’s buildings, crossing over many professions and fi elds of expertise. The good news is that a lot of work has already been done to map out the retrofi t process, through the PAS 2030 and PAS20352
British Standard 401043
removes a barrier to entry – this is not the strongest of incentives. What’s more, the VAT reduction is available for just fi ve years, until 2027.
Much more work is needed to stir people into action and give them long-term incentives to install more insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and batteries. In partnership with the Sustainable Energy Association, ECA recently proposed an ‘ECO+ scheme’ which could build upon the Government’s ECO4 grant scheme currently in place.
schemes, and the creation of .
The recent removal of VAT on energy saving measures along with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was warmly welcomed, but the Government has missed a trick by not extending the VAT cut to include Electrical Energy Storage Systems (batteries). These are key to giving households the ability to keep using their stored renewable energy when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing.
With that said, the cut in VAT on the upfront cost of energy effi ciency measures simply
The energy crisis is aff ecting everyone in the UK now. While we support the Government’s vision for the future, we urge them to focus their eff orts on what can be done right now to help households and businesses reduce their energy consumption and cut their carbon emissions. Retrofi t must be recognised as the fi rst step on our path to true energy security and Net Zero. Without it, none of the other proposals in the British Energy Security Strategy can be nearly as eff ective.
ECA is the UK’s leading trade association representing and supporting the interests of electrotechnical and building engineering services contractors. ECA works to improve standards, support the industry and create a sustainable business environment.
www.eca.co.uk
1
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/ 2 https://retrofi
tacademy.org/what-is-pas-2035 3
https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/ projects/9021-05901#/section
26 | electrical wholesaler July 2022
26 | electrical wholesalerMarch 2021
ewnews.co.uk
ewnews.co.uk
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