MCS now an approved scheme for Clean Heat Market Mechanism

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has been announced as an approved certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM). The CHMM launched on 1 April and is designed to support the adoption of heat pumps by requiring boiler manufacturers to increase their share of heat pump sales. All heat pump installations under the scheme must be registered on the MCS Installation Database (MID). This is to provide assurance that the installations are genuine and to mitigate the risk of them being counted multiple times. The requirement for heat pumps to be registered on the MID also means that installations are MCS certified. This provides an additional layer of assurance that they are being installed to industry-recognised standards, by certified installers who are using certified products. Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, says, “As the heat pump market continues to grow, we need to ensure that consumers are protected. This is crucial in ensuring everyone has confidence in home-grown energy. The best way to achieve this is through high-quality installations and by providing strong consumer protection in case anything does go wrong. “We therefore welcome the move to approve MCS as a certification scheme for the CHMM, and look forward to working closely with government, manufacturers, and installers on this key step towards achieving net zero.” For more from MCS, click here.

CES targets business sectors looking to transition to clean energy

Midlands contractor, Collison Electrical Services, is targeting growth in 2025 with new investment aimed at supporting UK businesses looking to transition to clean energy. The strategic move will see the company become CES, tapping into a renewable energy market expected to see significant growth through the Government’s net zero drive. Director Joe Collison (pictured above) says the company’s ambitious growth plan is more than just a name change, thanks to its growing reputation for expertise in sustainability projects. Joe explains, “We’ve built a great reputation in recent years for our electrical work on medium to large scale solar projects across the UK, and this investment in our future growth will help us capitalise on this. “Our technical know-how has delivered significant value for businesses looking to both switch to clean energy, but also solve challenges around advanced energy storage and grid capacity. “The UK has set out a blue print for clean energy transition. It has set a goal of 100 million solar panels to be installed across the country, and the Industrial Strategy will deliver in tandem with the new Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. “CES’s goal is to assist businesses in adopting energy systems that not only reduce environmental impacts but also improve their efficiency and lower their costs.” Based in Ford, CES has an established track record in installing and managing complex electrical projects, including the installation of solar systems up to 700 kW which address grid capacity issues. Heidi Vaughan, Operations Manager at CES, adds, “This is an exciting next step. Although we are now CES, we are the same experienced team delivering brilliant projects and our expertise spans a variety of sectors, each facing unique energy demands. “From manufacturers and agricultural businesses across the Midlands and Wales to hospitality and leisure facilities in the Highlands needing remote access and control, we provide solutions that simplify the transition to renewable energy.” CES has recently completed several notable renewable energy projects, highlighting its expertise and commitment to integrating sustainable practices across various sectors across the UK. In Somerset, CES successfully installed a 121kWp solar PV system at a new flagship DAF dealership in Bridgwater. The project serves as a pilot, setting new standards for dealership specifications and demonstrating the synergy between commercial transport and renewable technology. In another ambitious project, CES installed a 86kWp solar PV system for McFour, a specialist groundworks contractor based in Shropshire. The green initiative supports McFour’s strategic goals of bolstering their environmental credentials for competitive HS2 project tenders and transitioning to electric vehicles and construction equipment. These projects are a testament to how renewable energy solutions can enhance a company's operational sustainability and possible tendering prospects in large-scale infrastructure projects.

ECN April issue out now!

The April issue of ECN is OUT NOW and packed with insights and information on the topics you care about. Read the issue here.  From the Editor Hello and welcome to the April issue of ECN! It’s been another eventful month at ECN HQ. We had the pleasure of attending the Rolec Level Up event in Birmingham, where the company unveiled a range of exciting innovations. You can read all about them on page 50 and in the EV Charging supplement that comes with this issue. Additionally, we’ve been busy recording podcasts with several industry leaders, so keep an ear out for those in the coming weeks. I also had the opportunity to chat with industry legend Mark Allison about his multiple businesses, his ECN Award win, and the fantastic work he does for electrical apprentices – read more in our interview on page 28. In the electrical sector, Schneider Electric has announced a new initiative to double its veteran talent intake to help bridge the UK skills gap. The skills shortage has been repeatedly highlighted as one of the biggest challenges facing the country’s electrical industry and Schneider Electric’s Veterans Talent Programme aims to equip individuals leaving the armed forces with the industry knowledge and technical skills required for hard-to-fill operational and senior management roles in the energy management and electrical industry. The programme lasts 12–18 months and offers a full salary, providing veterans with specialist classroom-based and on-the-job training without requiring any prior technical experience. After a successful first year in 2024, Schneider Electric plans to more than double the intake in 2025, increasing from six to around 13 recruits. This is a fantastic initiative that acknowledges the value of veterans’ transferable skills while addressing the industry’s skills shortage. In this issue, we focus on LED Lighting, Software & Apps, and Sustainability/Circular Economy and bring you the latest case studies and thought leadership from these industry sectors. Plus, catch up on all the latest industry, contract and product news, along with all of our regular features.  I hope you enjoy this issue – see you next month! Carly Weller Group Editor

Oasis tickets up for grabs in NVC Lighting promotion

NVC Lighting has launched a ‘Supersonic’ promotion to reward contractors with a main prize of tickets to see Oasis at Wembley. The ‘Don’t Look Back in Hunger’ campaign – NVC Lighting’s first ever national sales promotion – runs until 31 May. Contractors purchasing NVC Lighting products to the value of more than £250 between now and the closing date will be put into a prize draw to win four tickets to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium on 26 July 2025 – a key date in the reunion tour which saw unprecedented demand for tickets last year. All purchases of £250 gives the contractor a £5 Greggs voucher, with a £10 voucher for purchases over £400 – on top of this, all claims are entered into a monthly Amazon voucher draw, with 15 prizes available each month for the duration of the promotion Distributors will also earn £5 per claim submitted against their branch. Neil Clydesdale, Group Commercial and Finance Director at NVC Lighting, says, “We’re proud to be giving away tickets to the hottest show of the summer as an incentive for choosing NVC Lighting products. “This promotion is a way to give something back as a way of thanks for contractors and distributors who support us. “We’re excited to find out who the lucky winner is, making their way to see Oasis!” For more information and to register any purchases, click here. 

SPARKS Female Skills 2025 finalists announced

After a thrilling series of Regional Heats, SPARKS has announced the finalists who will go head-to-head in the Grand Final of the SPARKS Female Skills Competition 2025 this April. Each heat saw talented electrical learners take on a live practical test designed by National Electrotechnical Training (NET), showcasing their technical abilities, precision and confidence in a competitive, real-world setting. The 2025 finalists are: Caitlin Beattie - Derwentside College Charlie Kirby - Northampton College Gracie Donaghy - Weston College Hannah Bone - City College Plymouth India Ward - Darlington College Sianna Borland - South and City College Birmingham The level of talent across the board has been phenomenal, and each competitor should be incredibly proud of their achievements. The competition not only showcases technical skills but also builds confidence and opens doors for the future generation of female electricians. Zoë Tanner, Managing Director at SPARKS, says, “We’ve been blown away by the standard of work, professionalism and passion displayed at every regional heat. This competition continues to grow and inspire, and we can’t wait to see what our finalists bring to the Grand Final!” The competition is sponsored by Electric Center, Milwaukee, Aico, Luceco Group, Megger, Schneider Electric, Fix Radio, Prysmian, Snickers Workwear, and National Electrotechnical Training (NET). The Grand Final of SPARKS Female Skills 2025 will be held at SMB College Group, Stephenson Campus.

Leicester College unveils Green Technology Hub

Leicester College has opened a new Green Technology Hub at its Freemen’s Park Campus. The Hub will enable construction students, staff and employers to gain hands-on, practical experience with the latest green technologies. The new state-of-the-art green tech equipment in the Green Tech Hub includes air source heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage systems and EV charging stations. The Green Technology Hub will support a range of Leicester College courses from Level 2 to Level 4, focused on renewables and green technology including: Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sustainability, Pollution and Waste Management Understanding Impacts of Industry and Organisations on the Natural Environment Energy Conservation and Efficient Buildings and Structures Renewable Energy Sustainable Energy Technologies Sustainable Energy and Renewables Nick Allen, Construction Area Manager at Leicester College says, “Green technology is already having and will continue to have an increasing impact on the UK construction sector. It’s vital that our students have access to this equipment, to learn how to use the technology and understand the impact it will have when they get into the workplace.  “The new Green Tech Hub will provide students with a strong foundation to learn more about these technologies and incorporate that knowledge into their future work with employers.” Derek Watters, Programme Lead for T Level Year 1 in Construction at Leicester College adds, “The introduction of green technology is very exciting – it brings about plenty of opportunities. Students can bring their own technological understanding to learning about the new green equipment and it can really give them a head start to extend their broad range of construction skills. “People want more control from their building management systems and this is tried and tested technology, now affordable and easily maintained. The technology will continue to evolve so it’s an ideal time for students to progress their learning at this early stage of their career in construction.” The Hub is funded by the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund and has been fitted out by Quantum Training, a UK renewable training provider, which also trains Leicester College staff on the equipment. Leicester College, along with its partners Loughborough College, North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College and SMB College Group, was successful in bidding for funding through the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund.  The College has successfully been awarded funds to develop training programmes to meet local employers’ skills needs in key industries including the green sector. These programmes support four key aims: decarbonising transportation; green leadership skills; digital upskilling; and employer skills training.

New funding boosts low carbon social housing opportunities

Baxi is encouraging social housing providers to ensure they have robust clean heat strategies in place for both new build and refurbishment projects following funding announcements in the Spring Statement. The call follows the government’s allocation of £2 billion to support the development of 18,000 new affordable homes, half of which is allocated for social housing. This funding for new build homes sits alongside the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund in place to retrofit existing social housing and improve energy efficiency. Rob Pearse, Residential Business Director at Baxi, says, “The £2 billion set aside for social housing in the Spring Statement must be used with sustainability in mind, which includes the long-term comfort and financial security of tenants as well as electrified heating. This can be achieved by working closely with manufacturers who have expertise in the sustainable heating of social housing and a raft of solutions able to match almost any requirements. “Delivering clean heat in social housing sector can be challenging, and we intend to support providers from the earliest steps of their net zero journey. It is important to identify the system that delivers the best efficiency, cost and environmental results for the building and occupants. Working closely with experts and the wider supply chain can provide the expertise and solutions to do this successfully for both new build and retrofit.” Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are a key route to clean heat for both new build and retrofit social housing projects, though design challenges for retrofit and skills shortages for installers can be a barrier to social housing providers. To assist the sector with implementation, Baxi has developed a broad portfolio of heat pump solutions suitable for new build and retrofit, along with extensive training, commissioning services and customer support. This includes new prefabricated pod options for new build and retrofit that bring the ASHP system into a pre-assembled unit, manufactured offsite by Baxi Packaged Solutions (BPS). Using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to deliver a more sustainable solution makes the installation significantly faster and simpler and removes the need for major modifications inside the home. This, in turn, makes low carbon heating and hot water more accessible in social housing. For larger developments and multiple occupancy buildings, Baxi‘s expert full-service heat network team offer support with design and implementation of end-to-end solutions, including social housing developments. Where zoning policy mandates that heat networks must connect to a larger scheme, consultation with experts, such as those at Baxi, can support a smoother integration with the wider network. Fore more from Baxi, click here.

Research reveals significant solar carport opportunity

Schools and hospitals should leverage funding to install solar carports, a renewable expert has said, after research has revealed a significant power generation opportunity from car parks. Damian Barker, Managing Director of RenEnergy, has said that institutions could regain control of their finances and energy supply if they elect to use the government’s new £180 million funding to install this unique method of solar energy generation. To evaluate the potential impact carports could have, RenEnergy has commissioned ongoing research to identify how many parking spaces could be suitable for installation. So far, over 151,000 suitable parking spaces have been identified across schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and medical facilities in England and Scotland, which could produce over 350 GWh of power – enough to cover the average annual consumption of over 97,000 UK homes. With the UK having 32,149 schools and 1,148 hospitals, the research has only scratched the surface of the amount of green power that could be produced. If schools used the first major investment from the government’s state-owned power provider to invest in solar carports, RenEnergy believes they could use the now available energy funds to finance a variety of much needed assets. With the teaching crisis putting substantial pressure on senior leadership to retain talent while balancing costs, reducing energy bills could allow schools to attract new educational providers and vital equipment and resources, the energy expert claims. Alongside this, by generating green energy, schools can help meet their local authority’s sustainability goals and provide teachers, students and parents with EV charging ports. On the other hand, hospitals require a consistent flow of energy to perform and provide critical medical care to patients. RenEnergy believes that if they were to install solar carports, trusts would be able to provide additional resilience, managing challenges and delays due to power cuts. Alongside providing green energy hospital premises, solar carports can also provide EV charging points to help the increasing number of electric vehicles recharge. As many hospital patients may be travelling long distances to receive specialist care, ensuring that they have an accessible space to charge their car is vital. According to the Carbon Trust, schools spend £543 million each year on electricity bills, while the NHS is the single largest public energy user at nearly £1.5 billion. The use of solar carports could significantly reduce this figure, RenEnergy believes, allowing for the funds to be reinvested in teachers and medical advancements. Damian Barker, Managing Director of RenEnergy, explains, “The rising costs for schools and hospitals has been of concern for many years now, with cutbacks and price increases impacting productivity. This is why the government has elected to make £180 million available to help future-proof these institutions with renewable energy solutions. Not only will this help reduce their bills, but also their carbon footprint. “With the staggering amount schools and hospitals spend on energy alone, the money that they save can be reinvested in research, hiring, supplies and more so that they can provide a high-quality service. Carports can help make this a reality by using an existing asset which schools and hospitals have an abundance of.” To add this additional facility, hospitals and schools do not need to apply for planning permission due to the installation being covered by permitted development. Once built, management will have to contact the District Network Operator (DNO) to secure grid capacity. Damian continues, “The government has made its plans clear to help reduce the carbon footprint of schools and hospitals by investing in green power solutions. Carports could have a significant role in the rollout of this £180 million funding, helping institutions regain control of their finances and invest in the future.” For more from RenEnergy, click here.

Aico announces winner of Smart Social Spaces competition

Aico has announced Bromford Flagship as the winner of its Smart Social Spaces competition. As a result, the housing group will receive technology to fit 10 of its properties with Aico’s innovative home life safety systems. Aico says that the initiative marks an important step in Bromford Flagship’s mission to enhance resident safety, reduce maintenance visits, and improve overall well-being. The prize includes a suite of home life safety and environmental monitoring equipment, including Aico’s Gateway, 3000 Series alarms, and Environmental Sensors. The systems will offer comprehensive protection and life safety monitoring capabilities, ensuring Bromford Flagship’s residents can live in safer and healthier homes. The competition was open to all members of Aico’s SHPN Network. After several entries, it was evident that Bromford Flagship’s entry focused on its aims to invest in safety and improve the energy efficiency of their properties, aiming to reach at least a C rating by 2028. In addition, Bromford Flagship wanted to utilise Aico’s technology to tackle asset management, compliance, disrepair, fuel poverty and improving resident health and wellbeing. Bromford Flagship plans to use the pilot installations to target properties with electric heating systems, aiming to reduce the frequency of annual visits to residents by enabling remote monitoring through the Gateway. In addition, the Environmental Sensors will play a critical role in improving the living conditions of residents by providing valuable data on temperature, humidity, and air quality. By addressing environmental factors that influence health and comfort, Bromford is committed to promoting the long-term well-being of its residents. Paul House, M&E Programme Manager Electrical at Bromford, comments, “We are thrilled to have won this competition and to partner with Aico on this exciting project. This initiative aligns perfectly with our customer obsession goals, and will enhance the safety, comfort, and sustainability of our homes allowing our customers to thrive. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our customers lives." Aico’s HomeLINK Environmental Sensors connect to the Gateway, providing valuable real-time data on temperature, humidity, and air quality, which are then analysed to identify properties at increased risk of developing damp and mould. This proactive monitoring allows for early intervention, preventing any issues from escalating. A key feature of HomeLINK technology is its ability to differentiate between environmental and structural causes of damp and mould through their 'Signature of Mould' technology. This distinction enables targeted solutions, whether addressing ventilation problems or underlying structural issues. Landlords and property managers gain access to comprehensive data and analytics through the HomeLINK platform, facilitating informed decision-making and efficient management of damp and mould concerns. The pilot installations represent a forward-thinking approach to housing management, Aico says, leveraging smart technology to improve operational efficiency while prioritising the health and safety of residents. Peter Price-Higgott, Relationship Manager for Gloucestershire, Wiltshire & Avon, comments, “Congratulations to Bromford for winning the Smart Social Spaces competition! We're eager to support the team as they integrate IoT into their housing stock and continue our collaboration. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the pilot scheme and the positive impact it will have on their residents.” For more from Aico, click here.

ECA President opens Half-house full of sustainable potential

Stuart Smith, President of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), was among dignitaries at the launch of the Half-house to teach sustainable building practices. The Half-house is located at Farnborough College of Technology’s construction campus. Students have the space of a cross-section of a house to do practical work, and learn about safety, using sustainable technology and building practices such as electric vehicle charging, heat pumps, battery storage and solar panels. Stuart Smith, ECA President, says, “This a fantastic opportunity to inspire and train young engineers of the future in renewable energy. The targets to decarbonise UK power by 2030 will simply not be met without the investment in training of young engineers. “This facility is a first-class opportunity to give hands-on experience and knowledge and hopefully inspire these students to become renewable experts. “This ties in nicely with the current ECA campaign called ‘Electrifying Our Future’, which highlights the importance of the electrical sector in the UK’s clean energy transition by 2030.” The launch event was held at the new facilities on the college campus where students and apprentices look to pursue a career in industries such as electrical contracting. For more from ECA, click here.