ECA and HVCA target green sector

M&E Sustainability has teamed up with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) to launch a one-day Introduction to Renewable Energy course.

The design and installation of renewable and other green technology could be an important way to counter the construction cool-off, according to M&E Sustainability, the joint initiative set up by ECA and HVCA.

M&E Sustainability believes that rising energy prices and the slump in property sales could drive renovation and in turn, the renewable and green technology market.

Jim O’Neil, chairman of M&E Sustainability said: “The opportunities for renewable energy are there now, not just in the new build market, but in the abundance of existing building stock.”

“We believe that these opportunities are often missed due to a lack of understanding across the supply chain from the contractor to the client and that education is the key to unlocking this market.”

To prepare contractors for work in this important area, the course looks at the practical aspects of various renewable energy systems and shows delegates how to implement sustainable solutions that represent value for money for clients.

Following a successful pilot course in 2008, a series of nationwide dates have been scheduled for 2009. Rebecca Ritsema, project co-ordinator at Coulson Building Group said, “I thought the course was very well taught and dispelled many of the myths about renewable energy”.