You don’t have to be Derren Brown to realise that on-site renewable energy technology is going to be big news for m&e contractors.

With local authorities around the country now only granting planning permission to developments that can boast 10% of power needs coming from renewable sources, the time has come for such technology to move from the committed tree-huggers to the mainstream.

The government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) and the Building Research Establishment predict the market will be worth hundreds of millions of pounds in the next few years and there is going to be huge scope for firms that can install a whole range of technologies.

David Frise is one contractor who has firmly grasped the opportunity presented by renewables. He has diversified his heating installation firm with a second business that specialises in sustainable technologies. The new company will be larger than the original contracting business in less than two years.

Firms thinking of doing the same thing need to get their workforce’s skills up to scratch. Recent work by SummitSkills has shown that m&e firms have been slow to train staff in the area of renewables. SummitSklls predicts that businesses risk being left behind if they do not prepare for future demand.

The LCPB is soon to launch its accreditation scheme for installers. The scheme will replace the current approved installer list run by the Clear Skies programme. Firms that are not registered on the list will not be permitted to work on projects that are funded by grants from the LCPB programme. What are you waiting for?

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

Andrew Brister, Editor