NEWS
“We are delighted a decision has now been made,” said Daryl Govan, managing director of Truro-based NICEIC Approved Contractor Govan Ltd. “Customers can now invest in a renewable heating solution that will not only help the environment and save them money on heating bills, but will also earn them a guaranteed income.” The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association also welcomed the news, but warned that setting tariffs for domestic users for 2012 should now be a priority. Meanwhile, NICEIC is stressing that the scaling back of the feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaic installations over 50kW – the so-called solar farms – will not restrict the market for the vast majority of electrical contractors.
Contractors urged to act on cables The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) is urging electrical contractors who think they may have bought suspect cable to get in touch. Working with the Health and Safety Organisation, ACI has pledged to oust firms that trade in dangerous cabling. See our cable feature on page 38
17th amendment special offer Contractors wanting to get ahead on the first amendment to the 17th edition, which comes into force in January 2012, can take part in a series of NICEIC one-day training workshops. Those who book now will receive an early bird deal of £155 including a place on the workshop, a free DVD and a copy of the IET Wiring Regulations 17th edition BS7671:2008. To book visit www.niceicdirect.com.
www.niceic.com
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2011 EVENTS CALENDAR
> Jargon-free guide de to green energy confusing world, ome of the particularly with some scientific language involved. “We hope this guide will go some way to giving people a clearer understanding of the industry and give them the confidence and courage to engage with professionals about microgeneration products and installations.” The jargon-busting guide can be downloaded free of charge from the NICEIC website at www.niceic.com/ householder/microgeneration.
The construction sector remains dangerously dependent on public sector spending on social housing, education, health and infrastructure projects, despite recording an 18 per cent rise in new orders in the final quarter of 2010, according to the Construction Products Association. The body’s research revealed that public housing orders had increased by 69 per cent with other state-backed projects rising 29 per cent. In contrast, commercial and private housing orders remained flat, while those for industrial factories and warehouses increased by 14 per cent.
The TechTalk team have been on the road in force this year and the events continue to be popular with contractors up and down the country. Events in March and April took place in Newcastle, Carlisle, Glasgow and Dundee. A short video of a recent TechTalk can now be viewed at www.niceic.com.
> Alternative heating: biomass boiler
Green guide keeps it simple NICEIC has produced a “jargon buster” document to enable contractors to educate potential customers about microgeneration without baffling them with jargon. The guide features clear definitions of the key terms commonly used in the trade and is designed for those considering installing renewable energy devices on their homes. “More than 100,000 homes in the UK currently have microgeneration installations,” said NICEIC’s chief executive officer Emma McCarthy. “We expect this number to rise rapidly in 2011 as homeowners take advantage of the opportunity to produce their own free energy and learn about the benefits of feed-in tariffs and the incentives available. “We also understand that, to those not in the know, microgeneration can seem a very complicated and
Private sector construction weak
TechTalks prove a nationwide hit
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The government’s long-awaited proposals to stimulate renewable heat installations have been favourably received by the electrical industry. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has pledged to invest £860 million in the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme, which it claims will see the number of industrial, commercial and public sector installations increase sevenfold by 2020. The system will be rolled out in two phases, with incentives for non-domestic users starting later this year and for householders from 2012. “We are delighted the government has announced this major incentive for renewable heat,” said Emma McCarthy, NICEIC chief executive officer. “Any boost to the trade through such promises are vital in the current economic climate. “With householders now given the incentives to install renewable technologies, the opportunities for the electrical, heating and plumbing trades are significant and NICEIC will be at the forefront of this, providing certification, training and advice,” she added. The news is likely to trigger new business opportunities for electrical contractors qualified to install technologies such as biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps and solar hot water systems.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Industry welcomes support for RHI
May
June
10 Lone Worker Safety Olympia, London
14-15 Health and Safety, Ireland National Show Centre, Dublin
16-19 International Firex NEC, Birmingham 17-19 H&S Expo NEC, Birmingham
21-22 European Smart Metering Forum The Bloomsbury Hotel, London 28-30 Home Technology Event ExCel, London
18-19 All-Energy 2011 Aberdeen Exhibition and 29 The Solar Future, UK Conference Centre Central Hall, Westminster 19 NICEIC Live Epsom Downs Racecourse www.niceiclive.com
July 6-7 Renewables 2011 The Bloomsbury Hotel, London
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