Next three years vital for UK renewables, says HVCA President
Contractors are still taking the risk of missing out on the significant business opportunities provided by renewable technologies, according to the new president of the HVCA.
During his inaugural address, Graham Manly stressed that France and Germany installed 35 times as many heat pumps and 23 times as many solar panels as the UK last year. He went on to say that the next three years would see very significant changes in the UK market.
“And it will not be long before replacing, on a like-for-like basis, the two million gas boilers we currently install every year will not be an option,” he said.
Contractors must therefore understand the renewable technologies and the legislation surrounding them, must acquire the skills they need to design, install and maintain them, and must be able to provide clients with informed and authoritative advice and guidance, said Manly (pictured with HVCA chief executive Robert Higgs).
“If we do not do this, not only will inappropriate systems be installed, but others will come along and take our business away from us,” he added.
Manly said that the industry had a great deal to gain from the increasing demand for carbon reduction and energy conservation, particularly as the sources of energy we have come to rely on could no longer be taken for granted.
“Not only are many energy sources insecure, but legislation is demanding that we reduce demand or pay up,” said Manly. “It will not be very long before the Carbon Reduction Commitment is extended to all significant businesses – and our clients will expect us
to be able to help them reduce their carbon footprint.
“We must ensure that we are up to the task.”