12 minute read
Industry News
from ECN January 2023
WINTER ENERGY CRISIS: ECA’S ADVICE FOR MANAGING POWER CUTS
ECA has promised to support its members who may be asked to design and install emergency power systems in the event of emergency power cuts this winter.
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Energy providers and National Grid have warned of potential power cuts caused by supply fears following the war in Ukraine. Worst-case government scenarios estimate that energy systems could be severely disrupted for up to a week.
ECA Senior Technical Manager, Gary Parker, says, “Because of an unprecedented combination of factors including surging demand, supply concerns, and a cost-of-living crisis, our members and their clients are facing a tough winter.
“ECA has seen an uptick in members asking for advice and help reviewing their clients’ systems and recovery plans. We are here to support members with advice and guidance on how to best design and install additional and stand-by systems that can meet their clients’ needs.
“It is important to remember that the UK’s electricity network is one of the most reliable in the world. However, we must be prepared for all eventualities, and the electrotechnical sector will be on the front line if emergency power cuts do occur.”
ECA, eca.co.uk
LOOKING BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
It has been a busy year for the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR), and the organisation has reflected on its achievements as it looks ahead to 2023.
The ESR’s biggest event of the year was its parliamentary reception, which took place on 16 November in celebration of the roundtable’s 10th anniversary. Over 70 participants made their way to the House of Commons to discuss enhancing standards of electrical safety across the UK.
The ESR: Electrical Safety in the Home group launched a tool to report unsafe electrical installations found in homes across Great Britain in collaboration with TrustMark, to help fill a data gap on the quality of electrical installations in homes. The group also published bilingual guidance for landlords in Wales on The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 and provided support for the Domestic Premises (Electrical Safety Certificate) Bill.
The ESR: Electrical Safety in the Workplace group has also had a busy year, with the launch of the Above and Beyond Awards, which provide the chance to recognise and celebrate those individuals and organisations who go above and beyond their legal obligations to enhance and improve electrical safety within the workplace.
Finally, the Electrical Safety Roundtable Social Housing subgroup saw significant growth this year, contributed to the government consultation and call for evidence on electrical safety in social housing and updated two guidance documents; the ‘Code of Practice for the Management of Electrotechnical systems in Social Housing’ and ‘How to Manage Electrical Systems within Higher Risk Buildings’ which was shortlisted for two awards.
Group Horizon has announced that more than 100 apprentices have now registered for the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship since it was first launched in April 2021.
The Apprenticeship was launched in partnership with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) following a culmination of over four years of hard work by the Trailblazer Employer Group to address an industry-wide shortage of BEMS Controls Engineers. The seventh cohort of apprentices began their training in November 2022, taking the total number to 112.
Building controls is a fast growing market with numerous opportunities for skilled engineers. The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship offers a balance of technical training and on the job assessments to match the needs and requirements of the apprentice’s employer.
Group Horizon, grouphorizon.co.uk
The government has announced it will continue to recognise the CE product marking in Great Britain for a further two years, says Nmi. Businesses may now continue to use CE markings until 31 December 2024. It provides an additional two years, from the current 31 December 2022 deadline, to apply the UKCA product marking.
The UKCA is the conformity mark implemented by the UK government following Brexit. For the GB market, it takes the place of the CE marking applied to products required by European directives and used across Europe. Measuring instrument type evaluation and manufacturing system certifications are covered by both CE and UKCA for the respective markets. Once certifications are issued, manufacturers can conduct the initial verification of their products.
Following the two-year extension, manufacturers wishing to retain access to the UK market for their products must still apply UKCA markings by 1 January 2025. EU certificates can be used as a basis for applying UKCA markings until 31 December 2027 (or earlier if the original certification is due to expire or requires significant revision).
NMi, nmi.nl
THE IMPORTANCE OF SKILLED WORKERS IN A NET ZERO WORLD
JTL is raising awareness of the essential role apprenticeships play in achieving net zero, and how that relates to the government’s route out of the cost-of-living crisis.
Both the UK Chancellor’s autumn statement and the Prime Minister’s words at Cop27 have confirmed that net zero is essential to the government’s strategy of revitalising the British economy by becoming a ‘clean energy superpower.’ JTL is reminding the industry that this is a strategy dependent upon a generation of trained apprentices.
In order to become a net zero nation, an entirely new skills-based infrastructure must be developed to support it. This is an infrastructure that cannot be created without training providers such as JTL, which deliver industry standard courses to ensure apprentices are ready to meet the net zero requirements of the future.
Hayley Tabberer, Campaign Manager at JTL, says, “At JTL, we believe that training apprentices in greener technologies can support the country through the development of more efficient energy solutions, new industries, and, with them, a new workforce.”
JTL, jtltraining.com
SELECT says it is looking forward to 2023 with ‘renewed optimism and confidence’ after it ended the year on a positive note by reflecting on 12 months of significant milestones.
While continuing to focus on the welfare of its members and maintaining the momentum of its campaign for professional recognition for electricians, the association is also celebrating an impressive list of achievements in 2022, including:
• Ending the year with 1,260 member businesses – its highest number in 122 years • Winning the Association Excellence Award 2022 for Best Membership Support Since COVID-19 • Celebrating record electrical apprentice numbers for the second year in a row • Seeing apprentices from member firms take Gold and Silver at the recent SkillELECTRIC contest • Rolling out successful training courses with Amendment 2 updates • Welcoming record numbers to its Toolbox Talks events in May and June • Adding more high-profile names to its Wall of Support for industry regulation • Supporting the submission of a Members’ Bill calling for protection of title • Attracting key manufacturers to its newly launched Associate Member scheme • Contributing to the ongoing success of the Construction Industry Collective Voice
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, says, “Despite constantly evolving challenges and an increasingly complex industry environment, SELECT has not only made solid progress over the course of the year but also recorded some impressive achievements which gives us renewed optimism and confidence for the next 12 months.”
Looking forward to the coming year, Alan adds, “The biggest change I’d like to see in 2023 would be for regulation of the electrical industry to finally become a reality. Protection of title for electricians is essential if we’re to have a competent, multi-skilled workforce, working safely on the next generation of technology and keeping consumers safe.”
SELECT, select.org.uk
RISING COST OF MATERIALS TO BE ELECTRICIANS’ BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN 2023
The rising cost of materials will continue to be the most significant challenge facing UK electricians in 2023, according to a new report assessing the confidence of the industry.
The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, surveyed electricians about their views on the year ahead and found that, while there is a general acceptance that the landscape is difficult, many are cautiously optimistic.
Just over a quarter (26%) of UK electricians think their companies will be more successful next year than they were in 2022, and one in 10 (10%) believe the industry will grow stronger over the coming months.
Furthermore, more than a third (37%) of electricians think they’ll be better off financially in 2023, which could explain the planned recruitment drive. Just over one in six (17%) are looking to expand and hire new staff, representing a slight increase from last year (15%).
However, with widespread societal issues, such as the cost-of-living crisis, affecting most UK households, some electricians are naturally more wary about the next 12 months.
All the respondents acknowledged that there will be challenges, and top of the list is the rising cost of materials (48%). This was also the number one concern in ElectricalDirect’s report last year, but the number of concerned electricians has more than doubled (from 23%), suggesting the problem is growing.
Simply getting hold of materials is also a worry (21%), as is the ability to recruit people to fill job vacancies (25%).
ElectricalDirect, electricaldirect.co.uk
OCTOPUS ENERGY SIGNS ENERGY DEAL FROM WORLD’S LARGEST WIND FARM
Octopus Energy Group has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy Europe to receive energy generated by the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm project.
Dogger Bank, currently under construction off the North East coast of England, is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vårgrønn. Once completed, it will be the world’s largest wind farm, generating 3.6GW of green energy, enough to power roughly six million homes a year.
Shell Energy Europe, which has signed agreements to offtake 20% of the energy produced by Dogger Bank, will supply Octopus Energy with up to 2.4TWh of wind energy each year from Dogger Bank once it is fully operational. This will be enough energy to power around 24% of Octopus’ current customer base, or around 800,000 households.
Matt Bunney, Head of Energy at Octopus Energy Group, comments, “If the energy crisis has taught us anything it is that we need to move fast to an energy system based on cheap renewables – and Dogger Bank will help to get us there.”
Octopus Energy Group, octopus.energy
ECA INDUSTRY AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES
ECA has announced that its Industry Awards are open for entries. These awards recognise ECA member businesses who have excelled and delivered some of the most outstanding projects and initiatives across the UK’s electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Award winners will be announced during the ECA’s 2023 Industry Awards dinner, which will be held on 9 June 2023 at the Hilton Bankside Hotel in London.
The full list of award categories is as follows:
• Large Contractor of the Year – over £60m turnover • Contractor of the Year – up to £60m turnover • Contractor of the Year – up to £15m turnover • Contractor of the Year – up to £5m turnover • Contractor of the Year – up to £1m turnover • Excellence in Training and Development – over £15m turnover • Excellence in Training and Development – up to £15m turnover • Best Health and Safety Initiative • Best Fire and Security Project • Best Client/Partnership • Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) • FSA Outstanding Contribution to Fire Detection and Alarm Industry • FSA Outstanding Contribution to Security
Systems Industry
ECA Director of Member Services, Helen Atkinson, comments, “ECA Award winners and runners up gain a huge sense of pride from having the opportunity to showcase their exceptional commitment to delivering excellence. In addition, they receive significant publicity for their businesses, which provides an ideal chance to promote their achievements to prospective clients.”
Entries for this year’s ECA Annual Awards close on 31 March 2023 and are open to all ECA registered members.
ECA, eca.co.uk
UK POWER NETWORKS SPEEDS UP FORECOURT EV CHARGERS
Power workers from UK Power Networks are helping to fast-track EV charging in petrol stations, to support the government’s 10-point plan for net zero.
UK Power Networks has worked with Motor Fuel Group (MFG) to speed up the provision of public charge points while improving air quality. The firm has 900 sites and has recently connected eight new ultra-fast 150kW charge points at its Catford site in South East London.
The launch is supporting the pace of EV uptake, with more than three million EVs forecast to be on the road across London, the East and South East by 2030.
Adam Lakey, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at UK Power Networks, says, “We want to help enable the UK’s transition to net zero by reducing the cost of connecting EV chargers for our customers through our Green Recovery scheme. People need to be able to choose to use new technologies as we all strive to address climate change – this project needed us to install new infrastructure to enable the new equipment to connect to our electricity network, which will help create a low carbon economy for the future of Catford and beyond.”
UK Power Networks,
THE WIRE MORE THAN DOUBLES ITS REACH IN 2022
THE WIRE, NICEIC‘s hit technical webinar programme, has smashed all previous records, more than doubling its reach in 2022.
Delivering 22 episodes between January to December, the season racked up an impressive 80,000 views through its live broadcasts and on-demand service.
Furthermore, audiences for the live broadcasts were up 50% when compared to the previous year, with average viewing numbers exceeding 1,300 per episode.
“We have identified a real winning formula with THE WIRE,” says Paul Collins, NICEIC’s Head of Technical Services. “The feedback received shows we are consistently hitting 4.7 out of five stars, with comments indicating that the topics covered are both relevant and timely.
“Our Amendment 2 episode was a great example. Timed to coincide with the day the details were released, this episode has now been viewed over 10,000 times.”
Free and exclusive to NICEIC registered businesses, all episodes from the 2022 series are available to watch on-demand now.
