EDITOR’S OPINION


Securing our energy supplies All well and good you might think, Chris Jones


Managing editor of Energy in Buildings & Industry


A


n unstable energy market is one of the consequences of living in an increasingly volatile world and the UK


government has rightly identified the security of energy supplies as one of its top priorities. Two years ago, Boris Johnson responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by setting out the British Energy Security Strategy with the aim of securing the country’s energy supplies and minimising costs to the consumer. Some 11 months later this was revised by the current government, shortly after the creation of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with promises to 'Power Up Britain' by upgrading the country’s least energy-efficient homes, support carbon capture and accelerate the growth of green hydrogen, nuclear and floating offshore wind.


but it seems that Rishi Sunak has now come to the conclusion that reducing the UK's reliance on foreign fossil fuel imports would in fact be better served by issuing more oil and gas licences and investing in gas power stations. There might be some logic to the argument that more supplies will minimise the risk of shortages and reduce energy bills, if it wasn't for the fact that prices are dictated by the global market and there is no guarantee that UK consumers will be the beneficiary of any boost to oil and gas production.


It remains a simple truth that one of the easiest ways to limit our reliance on imported energy is to ensure we need less of it to heat our homes and offices


A recent report by the Energy and


Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has rewarded the government with a lowly 3 out of 10 mark, based on the government's failure to meet many of the targets and ambitions as set out in the Energy Security Strategy. The analysis points to the slow progress in developing new nuclear power, the lack of new onshore and offshore wind projects and the retention of green levies on electricity. Perhaps even more damning is that the government is way off track to retrofit 450,000 homes with insulation and is likely to only manage half the target level. It remains a simple truth that one of the easiest ways to limit our reliance on imported energy is to ensure that we need less of it to heat our homes and offices. Well insulated buildings represent a relatively cost-effective way to avoid wasting energy, cut carbon emissions and save on heating bills, yet the government continues to drag its feet when it comes to providing enough funding to deliver loft and wall insulation to where it is needed most. As a recent Greenpeace protest outside Parliament pointed out (see page 9) such backtracking can also have life or death consequences.


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Contributors to this issue


Andrew Warren


Chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation


11


Graham Barker director at Riello


14 Sales & service


Steve Kenny


Vice president and general manager of Honeywell Building Management Systems and MK Electric


23 Mark Blyghton


Regional sales manager, Distech Controls


26


Stephan Marty CEO of Wattstor


29 Energy in Buildings


& Industry PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY


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Visit us online to keep up to date with all the latest energy news and events www.eibi.co.uk 04 EIBI | APRIL 2024


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