MPs have launched an inquiry which will examine the Government’s approach to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the UK, with current progress deemed as “far too slow” The two-month inquiry will look at current progress within domestic, commercial and public-sector buildings, and whether current energy efficiency measures are enough to help the UK meet its Fourth and Fifth Carbon Budgets. The BEIS Committee will focus on action to upgrade the energy efficiency of fuel-poor homes, as well as efforts to ensure growth and productivity is boosted by energy-efficient commercial and public buildings. BEIS Committee Chair Rachel Reeves MP said: “Energy efficiency is vital to cutting the costs of energy for homes and businesses and is a cost-effective method of reducing our carbon emissions. In spite of this, and the inclusion of energy efficiency targets in the Clean Growth Strategy, the current rate of improvements to buildings is far too slow. “Our inquiry will examine the Government’s approach to energy efficiency, whether it is showing enough ambition in helping to tackle fuel poverty and in encouraging homeowners, businesses and landlords to upgrade. We will also be keen to explore the additional measures which may be needed to deliver energy efficiency improvements that could bring significant benefits for individuals, the economy and the environment.”
Edie 19th Nov 2018 read more »
The chair of Parliament’s business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) committee has slammed the government for being as “too slow” in its efforts to improve energy efficiency.
Utility Week 19th Nov 2018 read more »
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee launches an inquiry into the Government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings. The inquiry will examine whether Government’s current delivery of energy efficiency improvements within residential, commercial and public-sector buildings is consistent with meeting targets set out in the Clean Growth Strategy, and our fourth and fifth carbon budgets. The inquiry is likely to focus on action to upgrade the energy efficiency of fuel-poor homes and the Government’s work to drive demand for energy efficiency measures within able to pay households. The inquiry will also look at what progress is being made to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and public buildings to ensure opportunities to boost growth and productivity are being harnessed.
Parliament 19th Nov 2018 read more »
An old coal power station is set to be transformed into a “sustainable village” of 2,000 homes powered by solar panels, in the biggest redevelopment yet of a former UK power plant. French firm Engie said it had decided against selling off the Rugeley site in Staffordshire and would instead build super efficient houses on the 139-hectare site as part of its bid to “move beyond energy”. Half of the energy required by the new homes will come from green sources, predominantly solar, which will be fitted on rooftops, in a field and even floating on a lake. The company is planning for 10 megawatts of solar capacity in total, equivalent to one of the UK’s smaller solar farms. Batteries will be used across the site, both in homes and at a communal power storage facility, to balance out electricity supply and demand. The firm is also claiming the homes will be so efficient they will use nearly a third less energy than average new builds. Heating will come not from gas boilers but electric devices such as heat pumps. Wilfrid Petrie, Engie UK’s chief executive, said: “We are positioning ourselves as going beyond energy into place-making. It’s an example of us closing down our coal power plant and, instead of selling off the land, we’ve decided to regenerate it ourselves.” Rugeley, which stopped generating electricity in the summer of 2016, is one of several coal plants to close in recent years due to economic pressures and environmental regulations. There are seven operational coal power stations left in the UK, but all are due to shut by a government deadline of 2025, raising questions over what happens to the sizeable parcels of land afterwards.
Guardian 20th Nov 2018 read more »