News

Government Heat Pump target – paving the way to fuel poverty?

The Government’s commendable plan to install 600,000 per year by 2028 has come under fire from both OFTEC and the Gas User Organisation, who have highlighted significant cost disparities between heat pumps and traditional technologies, along with confusion over what constitutes a ‘zero carbon ready’ home. Andrew Newman, technical director of the Gas Users Organisation, explains: “There are positive commitments in the 10-point plan towards future use of hydrogen as a green gas, and we need more clarity from the Westminster government that hydrogen-ready gas boilers are considered to be a ‘zero carbon ready’ option, as they should be, and therefore permissible in new builds after 2025. Gas central heating is incredibly popular with customers, because it is clean, convenient and relatively cheap. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation that shows that homes that lack a connection to the gas grid are more likely to be in fuel poverty.”
Domestic wind turbine

News

isoenergy owner, Compro Investments, acquires Marlec

Marlec Renewable Power is the oldest renewables company in the UK having been founded in 1978, and now also enjoys an international reputation and distribution network. It specialises in the design, manufacture and sale of micro wind turbines and the distribution of advanced solar PV technology. The company is known for a number of branded products. Its wind turbines are supplied to the marine sector as well as powering rail and road signage often in conjunction with its PV technology.

News

Heat Pumps – The heat is on!

Phil Hurley, managing director of NIBE UK commented; “The annual total for installations is 30,000 currently, so a massive ramp up is needed as well as up-skilling of existing plumbers and heating engineers to achieve the numbers needed for net zero targets.”

More

NIBE van

News

NIBE Energy Systems welcomes positive impacts of 10-point plan

The Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan has offered significant optimism to those working across the low carbon heating industry according to NIBE Energy Systems. The Green Homes Grant scheme, which launched in September, is a much-needed intervention for homeowners and installers and the news of its one-year extension has been very positively received.
Localis - the importance of local delivery

News

STA disappointed in exclusion of solar from Government’s plan

The Government has today published a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution. Despite being the most cost-effective electricity generating technology for the foreseeable future according to the Government’s own forecasts, solar was noticeably absent from the Prime Minister’s announcement, which is largely a repackaging of policies already announced earlier this year.

Product

Baxi Heating commits to net zero operations and products

Leading boiler manufacturer, Baxi Heating UK and Ireland, part of BDR Thermea Group, has promised to revolutionise the way we heat our homes and buildings. The announcement coincides with the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and places Baxi Heating at the heart of the ‘heating transformation’ that is required to achieve the UK’s climate targets.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson Portrait

Feature

10-point plan – the takeaway points

Boris Johnson has outlined his eagerly awaited 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, but which areas affect you?
Sustainable Homes and Buildings Coalition has pledged support and calls for urgent action to unlock the delivery of energy efficiency this decade.

Opinion

Green Homes Grant – Much needed boost or mismanaged botch?

Depending on what you read, the Government’s hastily deployed Green Homes Grant is either a quick win for both energy conscious home owners and installers alike, or an ill-executed appeasement plan to divert attention from the perpetually delayed Energy White Paper.

News

UK to prosper from Biden $2tn renewables revival

Just a few days after the US officially withdrew the Paris agreement, newly elected president, Joe Biden, pledged to enter them back into it immediately, whilst also committing a colossal $2tn investment to a ‘green recovery’. Even prior to his election share prices for the solar/wind energy company NextEra exceeded the market value of oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron signalling a shift in the zeitgeist.

Further Reading

Government launches online heat pump installer guide.

News

Implications of lockdown restrictions for installers

Following the Government announcement of national restrictions to commence on the 5th November, MCS took to social media to highlight that tradespeople are allowed to continue working and access customers’ homes, if the customer is in agreement and the guidance on distancing is followed.

Opinion

Renewables tax reform could boost deployment and provide jobs

A coalition of trade associations representing major British industries including retail, property, construction and technology, has written to the Chancellor to ask that renewable energy technologies such as solar PV and battery storage be excepted from business rates to boost commercial deployment and provide much needed green jobs. [1]

News

Future Fuels & Hydrogen Economy Virtual Conference

The Future Fuels & Hydrogen Economy Virtual Conference is taking place 9 – 10 November 2020. Explore the fundamentals around future fuels on the market from the industry’s leading experts.