Government backs down on proposals to make existing homes more energy efficient.
Radical proposals to make existing homes more energy efficient under proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations have been dropped by the government.
Housing minister John Healey announced the launch of the government’s long-awaited consultation on proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Means of Ventilation) of the Building Regulations for England and Wales in a speech to the Royal Town Planning Institute in London yesterday.
The proposals will require a 25% improvement in the energy efficiency standards for all new buildings from October 2010. But changes to the regulations that would have required existing homes to be made more energy efficient if a building is substantially altered through refurbishment, extension or a loft conversion – known as consequential improvements – have been dropped.
David Strong, chief executive of sustainability consultancy Inbuilt said that the proposal for consequential improvements was the most important change proposed to Part L. He said:
“Consequential improvements is the single measure that would have delivered the maximum carbon savings per Pound invested”.
He said it was “bizarre” that government should have dropped the reference to consequential improvements in the light of the requirement for the UK’s 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Andrew Warren of insulation trade body ACE said: “CLG appears to have been taken over by UKIP, because they are not paying any attention to what is happening in Europe”.
Warren said that changes to the Energy Performance of Building’s Directive due to come into effect from 2011 will require the government to implement consequential improvements a year after the proposed amendments to Part L are due to come into effect.
The proposal that all new conservatories will have to comply with the new energy regulations is still included. Another significant revision is in the value of CO2 emissions per kWh of fuel used. The proposal is to base the emissions factor on the value used in SAP 2009, which means the CO2 emissions factor for electricity will increase 40%, from 0.422 to 0.591 kg CO2 per kWh. This will make it more difficult to achieve low- and zero-carbon homes and it could affect the viability of electric heat pumps, mechanical ventilation systems, air-conditioning units and other systems using. The proposed changes to Part L are aimed at dealing with many of the failings and loopholes in the existing energy regulations.
Proposed changes include: The adoption of Accredited Construction Details to reduce heat losses caused by thermal bridging The use compliance software to list the key features that enable a building to meet its energy performance target Designers will have to submit a commissioning plan at the start of a project The 25% improvement in energy efficiency for non-domestic buildings will be an aggregate value for all new buildings A revised limit on solar gains for non-domestic buildings Proposed changes to SAP to include updated weather data Under the changes to Part L buildings will become more airtight so that government is also proposing changes to Part F of the Building Regulations to ensure homes are adequately ventilated.
The consultation closes on 17 September 2009
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
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Micro-generation forms key part of Government's vision.
Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has launched a consultation on the Government's strategy to boost energy self-sufficiency in communities.
The public debate about microgeneration will look at ways to ensure the quality of generating technology and its installation, how to improve available products, and how to develop the microgeneration supply chain while providing more accessible advice.
The consultation follows last week's news that the Government is to overturn a ban on councils selling "green" electricity back to the national grid by the end of the year.
Mr Barker said“I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people.Microgeneration is a key part of this vision.
“By becoming more self sufficient we can create sustainable local energy economies. People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon. I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”
More information can be found on the Microgeneration Strategy consultation web page
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Green policies could hit UK manufacturing hardest.
A report from the think-tank Civitas warns that the increasing cost of energy, which has been driven up as a result of green policies could hit the UK's manufacturing sector - just as the country needs industry to help boost the economy.
The report said efforts to tackle climate change through cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy generation could significantly push up energy bills for business.Extra costs are put on energy from policies including the EU's emission trading scheme, the renewables obligation to boost investment in technology such as wind power, and the climate change levy which taxes energy use in businesses and the public sector. Also, the Labour Government's climate change strategy had already added an extra 14% on homeowners' electricity bills and 21% on business bills.
Last year's renewable energy strategy could have created "surcharges" of up to 70% for businesses, and 33% for domestic customers by 2020, the report from Civitas claimed. The study warns the new coalition Government's energy policy could be as damaging to manufacturing industry as the previous administration.
The review by economist Ruth Lea and Jeremy Nicholson, director of lobbyists the Energy Intensive Users Group, said the UK was badly placed to meet its commitments to boost renewables as it was starting from such a low base. Even without the extra costs imposed to pay for climate change policies, Britain has high industrial electricity prices, which threaten its competitiveness.
Ms Lea said: "The economy desperately needs a competitive and thriving manufacturing sector if it is to prosper. Competitive energy prices are vital to the success of manufacturers, especially energy intensive users.Government energy policies are, however, remorselessly driving up energy costs thus risking the 'migration' of manufacturing plants to economies where the costs are lower."
