18 July 2024
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Image Paul Smith – MD, NIBE
Paul Smith – MD, NIBE: “Following the King’s Speech, which sets out clear targets for housebuilding, green energy and the devolution of power to local communities, the future as I see it, looks bright for the heat pump sector. A refocusing on net zero and stimulated construction market will lead to much-needed affordable, energy-efficient housing, providing a boost for the installer base.
“Keir Starmer has described ‘taking the breaks of Britain’, through relaxed planning rules, improved infrastructure, and a general commitment to promote growth. The next 12 months are crucial, we watch with interest at NIBE and are ready to support installers, consumers, housebuilders, and communities in taking advantage of new policies that create a clear and uninterrupted path to a low carbon and prosperous UK.”
www.nibe.co.uk
Tim Mitchell – Sales Director, Klima-Therm: “I am pleased to see a renewed focus on net zero, with policies that will stimulate growth for the construction sector and low carbon arm of building services in particular. Removing the barriers that have held back the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, such as relaxing planning around wind farms, will hopefully provide confidence in the government’s commitment to a fossil-free future.
“’Green’ is good for the economy, good for business and good for communities and individuals, and it’s about time we firmly stuck to this side of the coin. I hope that Labour learns from the mistakes of our previous government and avoids backtracking on its position.”
https://klima-therm.co.uk
Griff Thomas – MD for GTEC & Heatly, part of the United Living Group: "I am pleased to see a renewed commitment to some of the green policies that were abandoned under the previous government in the King's Speech. Investment in skills and tech is crucial for every sector and is something that I am involved with in the development of Heatly, an app that will accelerate heat pump deployment and deliver critical support to installers. Moving forward, I would like to see a commitment to up-skilling the workforce to prevent further delays to the heat pump roll out.
"Keir Starmer has said this government will be "builders, not blockers" and Labour's ambitious commitment to high-quality housebuilding will create opportunities for heating, renewable and retrofit installers. What we need now is consistency – it's the only approach that will lead to meaningful progress and build confidence in renewable technologies amongst installers and end users."
gtec.co.uk
www.heatly.com
Russell Dean, Residential Product Group Director, Mitsubishi Electric - "The King's Speech has rightly laid out several Bills intended to achieve economic growth, including an increase in the production of renewable energy, which will ensure our energy security, and an increase the number of people undergoing technical training. Building on this momentum is crucial if we are to deliver on the promise of net zero by 2050.
"Ensuring energy security also means encouraging the adoption of heat pumps and increasing the installation rate, which currently remains far less than 100,000 a year. For this to be achieved, the new Labour government must provide certainty by promoting and incentivising the adoption of renewable, low carbon heating systems by both consumers and businesses.
“At the same time, the government must drive energy efficient building standards, providing clarity on how new buildings must be fitted for low carbon heating. The government should also enable a phased approach to retrofit, by setting consistent, actionable standards for the decarbonisation of all types of buildings.
“For both households and businesses, the government must prioritise reducing energy costs and one clear way of achieving this would be to rebalance the cost of electricity and gas. The price of electricity in the UK continues to be higher than that of gas (*). This price gap, where electricity is more expensive than gas prevents the adoption of low carbon heating and the electrification of heat. As a result, it is an expensive barrier for households looking to switch to more renewable alternatives, such as heat pumps.
“The previous government committed to consulting on this change. Rebalancing energy costs must remain a high priority and key action for government.
"We support the Heat Pump Association's call for a Domestic Heat Pump Tariff Discount, which would reduce the price of electricity used for hot water and heating produced by a domestic heat pump. We would also like levies removed from electricity bills to balance these costs further.
"This will make electricity more affordable for households as the cost of living continues to rise while moving energy requirements away from volatile oil and gas prices. In turn, this will improve national energy security and support the creation of a future green economy.
"Improving support for renewable apprenticeships and increasing the number of colleges offering heat pump training is also critical. Combined with government support, this will increase the current installer base and put net zero promises into action."
(*) From 1st July, gas prices have been capped at 5.48p/kWh with a daily standing charge of 31.41p, while the cost of electricity is substantially greater at 22.36p/kWh with a daily standing charge of 60.12p.
https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk
