EDITOR’S OPINION


Decarbonisation ambitions Chris Jones


Managing editor of Energy in Buildings & Industry


R


eaders will be picking up this month's issue in the middle of a General Election campaign, but, if polls are to be believed,


the outcome looks about as certain as a Brit not winning Wimbledon this year. Quite rightly, in the interests of democracy, political analysts will be scrutinising the various manifestos but we all know that there are usually only two parties that stand any real chance of turning their proposals into action – and, this time around, even that limited choice could realistically be narrowed down one step further. When it comes to energy, there is


predictably broad consensus on the key objectives – finding ways to provide energy that is cleaner, more secure and less costly. How you actually go about achieving those objectives, the level of budget allocated to them and the speed of delivery are where there are clear differences. Labour's flagship pledge is to establish a UK government-owned power company, something the


country hasn't seen since the privatisation of the industry in 1990. To be based in Scotland, and working in partnership with private companies, GB Energy will be tasked with the challenge of helping to decarbonise the electricity supply by helping to finance low- carbon projects such as windfarms, solar and nuclear power plants. It is proposed that the company would have access to £8.3bn over the course of the parliament, which would be partly funded by tougher taxes for North Sea oil and gas companies. It is hoped that GB Energy can play a major role in helping to tick those three boxes: cleaner, cheaper and secure. While the company won't be responsible for supplying electricity directly to households, the plan is that it will be able to lower energy bills for consumers by reducing our reliance on gas and other fossil fuels. The goal is to create a virtually zero carbon electricity


If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that the best laid plans can quickly be undone by events


system by 2030, five years sooner the current government plans, but some experts have argued that the cost of achieving that target is quickly going to spiral. Once the company gets to grips with the problems associated with the UK's ageing nuclear reactors and takes on some of the projects considered too risky for private investors, the budget required is only going to go in one direction. Faced with the prospect of


frightening too many tax payers, the party has retreated from previous pledges to spend £28bn a year on powering up the green economy, but ultimately that could be the kind of figure needed if the party is serious about its ambitions to accelerate the country's transition to net zero. Unless there is another shake-up at


Whitehall, such efforts will be driven by the Department for Energy security and Net Zero, but with the purse strings inevitably being pulled by the Treasury, the backing of the Chancellor will be crucial to the chances of success. Rachel Reeves has promised to become 'Britain's first green chancellor', but similar claims have been abandoned by predecessors in high office once financial limitations start to bite. And if the last few years have taught us anything, it's that the best laid plans can quickly be undone by events beyond our borders.


Follow us twitter.com/eibi_magazine


Contributors to this issue


Andrew Warren


Chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation


11 Jeff House Director of external


affairs and policy at Baxi


13


Matthew Maleki Business development


manager and IAQ champion at CIAT UK


25 Ian Ellis


26 Marketing and sales


specialist manager at Siemens plc


Anthony Hall UK sales manager at


Humidity Solutions 32


Energy in Buildings


& Industry PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY


Published by: Datateam Business Media Suite 16, Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Nr. Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU


Tel: 01889 577222 Email: info@eibi.co.uk Website: eibi.co.uk


ISSN 0969 885X


This issue includes photographs provided and paid for by suppliers


EDITORIAL Managing Editor CHRIS JONES


Tel: 01525 716143


Email: editor@eibi.co.uk Address: 1b, Station Square Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1DP


Assistant Editor CAROL HITCHCOCK


Email: carol@eibi.co.uk


DESIGN TIM PLUMMER


PRODUCTION PAUL FORSTER Email: pforster@datateam.co.uk


ADVERTISING Sales Managers CHRIS EVANS


Tel: 01889 577222


Email: chris@eibi.co.uk Midland Sales Office: Suite 16, Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Nr. Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU


NATHAN WOOD


Tel: 01525 716 143 Email: nathan@eibi.co.uk


Southern Sales Office: 1b, Station Square Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1DP


PUBLISHING Directors CHRIS EVANS / RUSS JACKSON


Printed by Precision Colour Printing Origination by Design & Media Solutions


13,679 ABC Audited Circulation Jan-Dec 2023


CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS CURWOOD CMS LTD


Tel: 01580 883844 Email: pinede@c-cms.com


For overseas readers or UK readers not qualifying for a free copy, annual subscription rates are £85 UK; £105 Europe airmail; £120 RoW. Single copies £10 each.


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


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36