Larger mortgages should be allowed for more energy efficient homes, says a new project. The group is called LENDERS and is comprised of green energy groups and sustainable bodies, building industry experts and mortgage lenders. It is now trying to show that if mortgage lending decisions consider more accurate estimates of fuel costs, then this may lead to lower energy consuming homes being responsibly afforded larger mortgages. The Nationwide Building Society chairs the group which is now examining ways of moving on from the way energy costs are currently estimated in the mortgage lending process, which the group believes will help more responsible borrowing. LENDERS is in the process of gathering data in order to present more accurate energy cost affordability and information that will feed into the process of mortgage lending. The group say that the scheme will help in supporting more responsible lending. In addition it means that because of their lower fuel bills, more energy efficient homes will also have lower costs in other areas. As a result these home owners will therefore be able to repay an increased rate of mortgage repayment instalments without the fear of their overall outgoings increasing. The group believes that this will in turn lead to the capacity to deliver high capital lending amounts. It is hoped that by making larger mortgages available for more energy efficient homes, this will stimulate consumer awareness of the benefits of greener homes and in the long term it is hoped that this demand will contribute to driving the housing market. This in turn will increase the value of more energy efficient homes. The group also say it would encourage more home owners to put more money into improving energy efficient building solutions. LENDERS also believe that this will be useful for re-mortgages to conduct projects relating to energy refurbishment.

A report has shown that coal-fired power plants may be allowed to run past 2025 providing they make some use of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Amber Rudd, Energy Secretary, promised in November’s ‘energy reset speech’ to remove all unabated coal generation in the next 10 years. There was originally meant to be a consultation on the proposed cut off in spring of this year but this is still yet to take place. An unnamed source from Whitehall is reported to have said that there are many points related to the coal industry that the consultation will address as well as gauging public opinion. The source also said that the consultation will also outline what will happen to all coal power stations after the 2025 date and that is you choose to fit it with CCS, this will set a level which will not be permitted. However, the government may yet choose to stop any coal generation that has any amount of carbon emissions but any discussion on this topic are still said to be purely speculative at this moment in time. The coal forum had a meeting in February this year and the minutes of that discussion show that Andrea Leadsome, Energy Minister, is encouraging the coal industry to ‘engage in consultation’ by raising any questions or concerns they may have. A Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) spokeswoman said that unabated coal is the most polluting and dirtiest method of electricity generation. Due to this, she said that the government is fully committed to removing unabated coal power production by 2025 and that there is no alternative. She said that this way made clear last year and that the department has not changed its outlook in this regard, before adding that the coal closures consultation will be outlined in the next few months.

Fossil fuel companies are being told that if they ignore the latest climate change deal they will face financial turmoil. The warning comes from British economist Lord Nicholas Stern who emphasised the importance of the Paris climate change agreement as well as insisting that companies should be required to inform investors of how they will evade these threats. Lord Stern made his address at a climate task force organised by Mark Carney, Bank of England governor, and also commented that there is an alarming gap between the details of the December Paris agreement and what fossil fuel firms are taking from it. In his submission to the task group which was chaired by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, Lord Stern says that the difference is alarming for both central bankers and policy makers. The task force is set up to advance voluntary, uniform standards that organisations can present to investors, insurers and banks to illustrate the ways they are coping with financial risks relating to the climate. Given that fossil fuels contribute to almost 80% of the world’s primary energy use, it is clear that the world economy is still massively dependant on them despite being a major contributor to greenhouse gases. The latest Paris agreement states that almost all world countries have agreed to regularly disclose the ways it will deal with greenhouse gases with the ultimate aim of bringing net emissions for the year to zero. Author of a UK study conducted 10 years ago into the economic implications of climate change, Lord Stern said that unless the shift is handled with caution, assets in fossil fuels could be hit with ‘stranding and mass scrapping’. His submission states that from the perspective of investors, it is one thing for businesses to think that governments were not being serious in the Paris agreement, but it is too far for them to plan their whole strategy in the hope that this is true.

Owner of CCH Leeds, Allen Hart, is offering free boiler installations and servicing to his customers, asking only for a donation to ‘The Candlelighters Trust’ charity in return. Each year, the charity pledges hundreds of thousands of pounds into child cancer research, along with the provision of emotional and practical support to the families of children who suffer from cancer. Mr Hart started installing boilers for the charity in 2007 in memory of his three year old daughter, Laura Hart, who lost her battle with the disease. He has since gone on to surpass his £25,000 target. In order to complete the projects, he is reliant on the donation of boilers and parts from manufacturers, as well as local installers giving up their time to help out. Mr Hart has just completed his most recent instillation in Harehills, Leeds, along with the boiler manufacturing company Ravenheat, who donated the WH90 combi boiler, which is highly efficient. John Wilson, Technical Service Manager at Ravenheat, also provided the seven radiators required to finish the project. Mr Hart thanked the company for its donations and for its continued support to The Candlelighters Trust, adding that he would not be able to offer the free instillations without their help. In return, Mr Wilson thanked CCH Leeds for giving them the chance to support their great cause, adding that Ravenheat is proud of their involvement in such a worthwhile scheme and that it is humbling to see so many people helping out in their own time. Mr Hart is encouraging anyone with an interest in putting their name down for a free boiler service to get in contact with him on 07725 692 699, or alternatively you can visit www.cchleeds.co.uk. Meanwhile, any donations to Mr Hart’s project can be made at the JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/cchleeds.

Water Plus is now a legally incorporated company, Severn Trent and United Utilities have confirmed. The companies’ joint venture (Water Plus) now has all its conditions confirmed and satisfied, with the transaction now complete. The operations of the new company will be transferred progressively to Stoke-on-Trent, where its new head office is situated, throughout this year. First announced at the beginning of March, the joint venture will bring together the two firms’ wastewater retail and non-household water businesses into one group. Last month the Competition and Markets Authority granted approval for the venture. Ahead of the opening of the English non-household retail market next year, Water Plus will see a combination of both companies’ complementary skills such as credit management, business strategy, customer service and sales. It is hoped that this combination will result in successful delivery of an attractive proposition for businesses both large and small across the UK. Both Severn Trent and United Utilities said that by teaming their businesses together in this venture, they will see the creation of a cost effective and efficient operation, focussing on improving growth and customer service. Sue Amies King, Chief Executive of Water Plus, said that the group has an aim of becoming a ‘market winner’ with the aim of leading the market in terms of engaging people and providing excellent service standards. She added that growth ambitions are high, with a clear desire for success shown by both companies for Water Plus to become a ‘go to’ firm for business customers. Earlier in the year, it was announced that Portsmouth would be the first water company to reveal it will be leaving the market due to the introduction of competition. The company, which dealt solely in the water industry, sold its customer base to Castle Water, a Scottish supplier. As a result Castle Water has sent an application to Ofwat for a sewerage and water supply licence.

Northumbrian Water has paved the way for increased renewable energy thanks to a significant solar power instillation at one of the country’s biggest environmental management sites. The supplier’s Bran Sands water treatment plant based in Middlesbrough will now be home to one of the UK’s largest commercial rooftop mounted solar panel installations, with 943 solar panels. The installation comes as part of the company’s ‘Power Purchase Agreement’ (PPA) with Lightsource Renewable Energy, the leading solar energy company in Europe. Lightsource will operate, design and fund the system which will provide Northumbria Water with a straightforward solution to its power requirements, while making a carbon and energy saving equal to 24 cars being taken off the roads per year. Bran Sands data can then be used to gauge the potential for installing more solar panels in other sites owned by Northumbrian Water. In its first year, data shows that the instillation is on target to reach its projected savings target of £6,353, while long-term projections show that costs could be reduced by in excess of £386,000 over the course of the next 20 years. Steve Coverdale, Plant Manager at Bran Sands, said that the installation of solar energy at the site will enable the water supplier to continue its move towards reaching parity of importing energy, with the long-term hope being that it can become an exporter of energy. He said that Northumbrian Water are always on the lookout for methods to improve its energy efficiency and sustainability, while also caring for the environment and cutting down on costs. He added that the results they have seen thus far have shown reason for optimism that the solar installation is having the desired effects and that the company will keep reassessing what will be achieved in order to establish the role of solar energy. The panels were installed within two weeks so that both Lightsource and Northumbrian Water could meet the government’s deadline for reduced ‘Feed-in Tariff’ support.

The Construction Industry Trading Board is trying to provide work experience and career insights in order to secure the best available talent for the industry. Go Construct, the newly formed recruitment campaign for the industry, has launched the ‘Experience Matching Service’, which gives people the opportunity to experience the construction industry first hand. Employers in the industry have been signing up to provide project placements, careers talks, site visits and work experience to anyone with an interest in a career in the construction business, as well as conducting mock interviews and taster days. The idea behind the scheme is to enable young people to experience for themselves how the construction industry works and provide good, clear information about a career in the sector. The companies are trying to make sure that there is a clear correlation between what they say it is like to work in construction and the reality of it. They are saying that even one or two weeks spent working with them will be of huge benefit to young people considering taking their first step into the business and could even become their first break into it. There are also many benefits to the industry and employers by offering work experience as they could come across some special talents who they want to join their team through a positive experience for both parties. Businesses are also showing pride that they work in the construction industry by offering these opportunities and presents them as forward thinking organisations who want to strengthen relationships with local colleges and schools. It is hoped that the skills gap will be reduced and the very best talent will be secured for future generations of the construction industry by providing these experiences and career insights, as well as reducing the number of people who drop out of the industry later on.

Reduced price batteries may be the solution for electric cars being purchased by the masses. The expensive price of batteries has put people off the idea of electric cars for a number of years, with the reason for their price due to the specific needs of electric car batteries. They need to be light enough for the cars not to be drained by the battery, while also being big enough to ensure the car has enough energy to drive for hundreds of miles from one charge to the next. Chairman of Faradion (a technology company that researches cheap energy store solutions), Chris Wright, admits that current battery costs are equal to the rest of the electric car, something he says needs addressing. Wright said that as a result electric car advocates are trying desperately to find cheaper batteries to supply and that the automotive industry must provide a solution to make batteries that do not rely on lithium, which is the core matter of rechargeable batteries. He says that Faradion’s solution to this problem is sodium, which has similar energy properties but is less expensive to source, meaning that electric cars may soon become a realistic option for the masses. Wright pinpoints new drivers and commuters as those who would benefit most from an electric vehicle due to their affordability and ease of use. He added that the company have made sodium materials that work as well, if not better than lithium systems in battery cells. While petrol and diesel powered cars are still outselling electric vehicles by a considerable margin, sales of electric cars have seen a sharp rise over the last 12 months. This increase is due to fewer people being scared of the car running out of battery and being stuck along with consumers realising the financial benefits of running an electric car, along with being better for the environment.

Highways England has handed Balfour Beatty a £130m contract to build the new M20 Lorry Park in Kent. The new facility will bring to an end the long-running saga of Operation Stack that turns the M20 into a lorry park every time there are disruptions at the Port of Calais, breakdowns in the Channel tunnel or storms impacting on ferry crossings. The new lorry area will have capacity for approximately 3,600 lorries. Balfour Beatty has been brought in on an early contractor involvement (ECI) basis. The government has yet to sign off the overall £250m project, although it was contained in the chancellor’s 2015 autumn statement. Highways England is looking to a summer 2017 completion date. Balfour Beatty chief executive Leo Quinn said: “Balfour Beatty’s expertise in major infrastructure projects and long standing relationship with Highways England will be crucial for the safe and successful delivery of this project. The M20 lorry area will provide much needed relief to Kent’s road networks while supporting local economic growth and development.”

The risk of winter power cuts occurring in the UK could become a thing of the past, according to a submission from the ECA to a House of Commons Energy and Climate Change (ECC) Committee inquiry. The ECA’s input focuses on three core proposals, which have the capacity to substantially mitigate against high energy demand and shift usage away from peak times, namely: Fostering an energy storage revolution across the country, allowing for this stored power from renewable sources to then be deployed at times of peak demand, but at much lower cost; Facilitating a substantial increase in the use of electric vehicles, resulting in power usage shifting primarily to overnight when the vehicles are charged; and Developing plans for a European-wide energy ‘super grid’, that would allow power to be transported across borders to mitigate against high levels of demand. The proposals involve potentially little or no public incentive, as cost savings would result from storing power at cheap rates, and then using and potentially exporting energy at high rates. According to Bill Wright, ECA Head of Energy Solutions: “The risk of power cuts, especially during the winter months, remains a genuine prospect in Britain, particularly given the gradual closure of power stations. The ECA’s vision to revolutionise the energy market could in time lead to these concerns about blackouts becoming a historic relic. “The combination of widespread energy storage, large-scale take-up of electric vehicles and a European-wide ‘super grid’ is a compelling, clean and cost effective programme which could revolutionise the UK energy market.” The submission follows a request by MPs sitting on the ECC Committee for ‘innovations which have the greatest potential to revolutionise energy markets’. The ECA’s chosen criteria for the proposals were: creating economic benefits, ensuring security of supply, scalability and providing clean energy. The proposals come as politicians consider the UK’s Fifth Carbon Budget, which legally commits the government to meet specific carbon reduction targets, as part of efforts to reduce emissions by 80 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050.