Braintree Council receives solar installation from RenEnergy

RenEnergy, an international renewable energy business, has supported Braintree Council with a large-scale 407KW solar panel installation in Essex as part of the authority’s drive to increase efficiency and reduce emissions from its buildings. Expected to produce over 399MWh of energy annually, the company installed 983 solar panels on the Witham Leisure Centre, including solar carports and roof arrays. Before getting started with the task, the council faced a few initial hurdles. Firstly, the project needed to be delivered before the Sport England Funding deadline at the end of March 2025 and in line with its requirements for funding. Secondly, as the rooftop and carport solutions were installed at the same time, there were various logistical, resource, and health and safety considerations. The scale of the project also meant that numerous local contractors were working on-site together, so clear communication and quick decision-making was necessary. Now, the leisure centre avoids an estimated 59,415kg of CO2 emissions each year and aims to be operating at a 34.7% self-sufficiency level. The extra supply of clean energy also means the centre can reduce operational costs on the site with better efficiency and lower emissions from energy. There may also be the chance to add EV chargers outdoors to support the current Labour government’s target of having 300,000 charge points across the UK by the end of the decade. The task has come at a time when numerous local authorities across the UK are navigating renewable energy rollout in line with their sustainability goals. These targets are increasingly important with the current backdrop of the UK’s net zero drive and ambitious goals laid out in the Clean Power 2030 strategy. Mark Wilson, Sustainability Manager at Braintree District Council, says, “We are beyond impressed with the work RenEnergy UK has done to install these solar panels for us. Right now, lots of local councils up and down the country are looking for sustainability solutions and we’ve shown that stakeholders investing in this has immense benefits for everyone.” Damian Baker, Managing Director of RenEnergy UK, states, “As a company, we’ve seen an increase in the number of businesses and local authorities asking us to help them make their workplaces more sustainable. “It’s great to see more companies starting to take notice of how seemingly small things can make a huge difference. We were able to maximise less space by using rooftop and carport arrays, both of which haven’t disrupted the daily operations of the leisure centre. It’s more than possible to reach environmental targets without reducing the operational efficiency of the buildings we work on.”

Energetics completes low-carbon heat network for Cruden Homes

Energetics, part of the Last Mile group of multi-utility infrastructure companies, has announced it has completed and energised a low-carbon ground source heat network at a residential development in Barnton, near Edinburgh. The Avenue, Barnton, consists of 48 luxury homes designed for retirement living. Cruden Homes, the developer, received a NextGeneration Project Gold award in recognition of the scheme’s environmental credentials. Energetics installed a ground source heat network that intends to result in 80% lower carbon emissions than traditional gas-fired heating, and 54% lower emissions than air-source technology. The heat network takes its heat from an array of 18 vertical boreholes. A network of pipes, manifolds, and valves then distribute that ambient heat from the boreholes to heat pump units that provide space and water heating to each home. Although Cruden Homes wanted to move away from gas with a low-carbon heating solution, they were concerned about the upfront cost of installing a heat network. Energetics supported the development by providing a finance model to fund the capital cost of the heat network build. Last Mile will own, operate, and maintain the heat network. Kirsty Henderson, Head of Design and Sustainability at Cruden Homes, says, “Energetics assigned a dedicated team to coordinate the design and build process to ensure that all electricity, water, and heat network services were completed in line with our construction schedules. The team’s professional guidance was invaluable in helping us to meet our sustainability goals.” “As developers are increasingly searching for alternatives to gas for home heating, the award-winning Barnton development showcases the economic and sustainability benefits of ground source heat networks,” comments Lisa Gunn, Associate Director of Sales at Energetics. “We look forward to working with Cruden Homes on future developments.”

New Ovia catalogue showcases innovative lighting solutions

Ovia, a lighting brand that is part of the Scolmore Group of companies, has launched Issue 6 of its lighting catalogue. The new catalogue introduces a range of approximately 930 product lines, catering to diverse sectors including domestic, commercial, industrial, utility, amenity, emergency lighting, and flood lighting. Issue 6 introduces several new additions to the Ovia portfolio, including: · Berula: A linear batten, multicurrent LED luminaire with 120lm/W, CCT, and power-switchable features. · Inceptor Trofa: CCT switchable LED panel offering enhanced lumens and efficacy (3200-3300lm and 106-110lm/W). · Inceptor U-Lite: A new, non-corrosive, power-switchable linear LED luminaire featuring 160lm/W and CCT. · E-Lite: Power-switchable linear batten LED luminaires with CCT. · Inceptor Slate Backlit UGR: LED backlit panels offering 140lm/W, with power-switchable and CCT options available. Sustainability is a factor in Ovia’s Inceptor Pro Range, designed with time saving installation features for contractors. These products prioritise energy efficiency and durability. For more from Ovia, click here.

New look and new premises for Batt Cables

A cables distributor, Batt Cables, has announced a new brand identity and new premises acquisition as part of its long-term growth strategy. Batt is a long-established cables distributor in the UK, with operations across Europe and in the USA. Following the business’s recent change of ownership and a review process, Batt has developed a new strategy which is now being rolled out by the new leadership team. The new vision statement of intent is "to be the go-to choice for cable solutions." Visually, the new logo includes a blue circle icon with three cable 'stripes'. The new branding will be visible on a new 250,000 ft² logistics centre in South Yorkshire. The new-build premises adds to the existing Batt warehouse facilities in Kent, Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh, and will create additional supply chain capacity. The new warehouse location allows access to the M1, M18, and M62 motorways for transportation in North and South directions. The facility will become operational in a phased introduction programme over the next few months. Rob Barclay, CEO of Batt Cables, comments, "We are on an exciting growth journey here at Batt. Our new brand vision and brand identity symbolise this revitalisation of the business. The significant investment we’re making in the brand new state-of-the-art warehouse facility demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving customer service, and represents a major milestone on our journey."

Signify unveils ‘negawatts’ white paper with Climate Group

Signify, a global leader in lighting, and Climate Group, an international non-profit organisation aiming to accelerate climate action, are urging world leaders to leverage 'negawatts', the energy savings unlocked through efficiency, whilst adding more megawatts to the grid. The white paper cites the LED transition in lighting as a tangible path to reduce global energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By 2030, a switch from conventional to energy-efficient LED lighting could save 1,402 TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to €600 billion per year in unrealised savings. This amount of electricity could: Run 300 million heat pumps Power 349.5 million homes Match the electricity consumed by 14 million hyperscale data centres Alice Steenland, Signify’s Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, says, "At COP28, governments pledged to double energy efficiency improvements and triple renewable capacity by 2030. With Artificial Intelligence now expected to double electricity demand by then, it has become urgent to unlock negawatts through energy efficiency. Lighting remains a powerful but overlooked solution; by simply upgrading outdated systems to LED, we can rapidly cut energy use and emissions." Despite advances in lighting technologies, at least half of the global lighting stock still relies on outdated, inefficient systems, and lighting alone accounts for 2% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Published today, the white paper "Unlocking negawatts: The role of lighting in energy security and decarbonisation" emphasises that switching all homes, businesses, and cities to LED lighting could cut these emissions in half. Alice adds, "Signify has already reduced absolute emissions by 60% since 2019, and we're committed to working together with non-profit organisations like Climate Group, governments, and business leaders to accelerate the transition away from legacy lighting systems and toward smarter, more efficient solutions. Notably, we’re calling on governments to set bold energy efficiency targets at COP30 and accelerate the shift to smarter, low-carbon lighting." With less than six months until COP30, only 10% of countries have submitted their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), of which over one-quarter (28%) do not have energy efficiency measures as part of their plans. The white paper calls on governments, cities, and businesses to act with concrete guidance on effective interventions to harness negawatts. Helen Clarkson, CEO at Climate Group, comments, "The enormous potential of energy efficiency is underscored by Climate Group’s corporate EP100 members. Combined, EP100 members have to date reduced emissions by 450 million metric tons of CO₂e, more than the annual emissions of Brazil in 2023. Signify has also been at the forefront of our energy efficiency work through Climate Group’s Renovation Revolution initiative, which seeks to increase renovation rates in Europe's commercial and public buildings. In the coming years, global electricity demand is expected to rise by an average of 3.4% annually and as this white paper explains, facing up to this challenge requires collective action. With commitment and innovation, we can achieve meaningful progress for the planet and future generations." For more from Signify, click here.

TRILUX supports flexible learning spaces in nursery rollout

N Family Club, a leader in early years education, has partnered with TRILUX, a manufacturer of professional lighting systems, to deliver a lighting solution for their expanding network of nurseries. Working closely with N Family Club and M&E consultants Plenarius Design, TRILUX has designed an energy-efficient scheme that seeks to enhance both indoor and outdoor spaces. N Family Club approaches early years education by designing environments that feel like a home-from-home for families and educators. When it came to lighting, the nurseries needed solutions that matched their stated vision: elegant, adaptable, and energy-efficient. TRILUX worked directly with N Family Club and M&E consultants Plenarius Design to deliver the project, designing flexible lighting schemes tailored to each nursery location's unique character while aiming to maintain a consistent experience across all sites. Peter Spencer, N Family Club, comments, "TRILUX offered exactly what we needed, with a range of high-quality fittings that meet both our aesthetic design standards and operational requirements. They have been proactive from the outset in helping find solutions to address the specific demands of each project and supporting our design and construction teams in providing expert knowledge and advice to ensure we achieve the best possible results." Working closely with the client and contractors, TRILUX supplied all fittings onsite with the intent to ensure a streamlined process from specification to installation. The lighting design was centred around the idea of creating a high-end look and feel while supporting the nurseries' flexible learning environments. Thanks to the range of optical systems in E-Line Pro, each area could be individually tailored, offering glare control and a high colour rendering index of Ra >90. Indoor lighting was zoned to match learning activities, from focused tasks in classrooms to playful spaces like the Atelier art rooms. Meanwhile, the external lighting was intended to ensure outdoor learning areas remained accessible and welcoming in all seasons. Mike Cheeseman, Plenarius Design, M&E Consultants, says, "TRILUX's expertise in education lighting was invaluable. Their understanding of how light influences learning environments helped us achieve exactly what the client wanted – outstanding spaces that support both child development and operational efficiency." Leatherhead was one of the key sites under this rollout. The lighting toolbox includes: • E-Line Pro/Finea continuous-row system – flexible optics for multiple applications • SNS compact LED downlights – for visual comfort and low glare • Siella G8 recessed luminaires – for bright, UGR<19 glare free spaces • Olisq – decorative wall luminaires for circulation and breakout areas • Oleveon Fit – surface mounted luminaires for back of house • Emergency Lighting variants • External lighting – including Combial floodlights, 8841 bollards, and Skeo Curv for car parks and outdoor play spaces For more from TRILUX, click here.

LIA announces Simon Weston CBE as keynote speaker

Each year, key stakeholders from across the emergency lighting supply chain gather to discuss upcoming changes affecting the sector. This year, The Lighting Industry Association (The LIA) announces that the keynote speaker headlining its 2025 programme will be Simon Weston CBE. Simon is a British Army veteran renowned for his charity work and remarkable recovery from life-changing injuries sustained during the Falklands War. In 1982, he was aboard the RFA Sir Galahad when it was attacked and destroyed in the Blue Cove Air Attack, suffering burns which covered 46% of his body. He has become well-known across the UK and abroad, notably for redefining his role in life, and his message is one of achievement, of triumph in the face of adversity, and of seizing the moment and succeeding. Connecting with the conference, Simon will be discussing the importance of emergency lighting and how a lack of it in his accident impacted him greatly. In addition to Simon’s keynote speech, the programme will cover a wide range of topics throughout the day which are relevant to emergency lighting, presented by leading industry experts. Ayça Donaghy, CEO of The LIA, says, "The ICEL Emergency Lighting Conference is a vital event for those working in the sector to network, develop their knowledge, and keep up to date with key developments. "We’re excited that Simon Weston will be joining us to deliver the keynote speech. Not only are his experiences linked closely to the importance of emergency lighting, he is also a truly inspirational figure that I know all attendees will be waiting to hear from." For more from The LIA, click here.

Jefferson Tools launches new Tool Up brochure

As the weather warms and workloads ramp up, Jefferson Tools, a leading supplier across the UK and Ireland, has released the latest edition of its seasonal Tool Up brochure. Running from 1 May to 31 August 2025, this edition is all about helping professionals and serious DIYers gear up for a productive spring and summer, with offers on everything from pressure washers and portable air conditioning units to cut-off saws and TCT blades. At its core, the new Tool Up offers are a response to the needs of workers in hot, high-demand environments. One of the features in this campaign is the selection of Jefferson Tools pressure washers. Designed for both domestic and industrial cleaning tasks, models range from the compact 150 BAR electric washer to the petrol-powered 13HP washer, which provides a maximum pressure of 3200psi and a flow rate of 21 litres per minute. Cooling is another major theme in this 12th edition of Tool Up, with Jefferson Tools' range of portable air conditioning units and high-velocity drum fans appropriate for workshop and garage environments where airflow matters. The 4-in-1 air conditioner delivers cooling and heating with a 12,000 BTU/hr output, along with a soft-touch LED panel, remote control, and R290 refrigerant. Cutting tasks have been equally considered with the Jefferson Tools 14” cut-off saw featured prominently in the campaign. With a 2480W motor, adjustable clamping angles, and a spindle-lock mechanism for fast, safe blade changes, the saw is intended to work well for professionals working with box section, steel pipe, angle iron and bar. Also included in Tool Up 12 are discounted TCT blades from the MAKO PRO range. Available in 7", 9", 10" and 12" diameters, they come with bushings for compatibility across a range of saw types. While not compatible with the Jefferson cut-off saws, they provide value for tradespeople seeking precise performance on other machines. “These aren’t gimmicks or throwaway deals,” says Darren Binns, National Sales Manager at Jefferson Tools. “They’re well-thought-out offers, based on what our customers are genuinely working on right now. We’re focused on helping tradespeople stay productive in the heat, clean up properly after a job, and get the right kit for serious cutting and fabrication. This Tool Up is all about delivering the right tools at the right time.” Elsewhere, the latest Tool Up includes bundles for welders and mechanics with kit combinations featuring auto-darkening helmets, TIG gloves, and ARC inverter welders. Impact socket sets, airline hoses, and digital tyre inflators round out the edition, making it equally appealing for anyone equipping a van, garage, or mobile repair service. The campaign is now live and available through authorised Jefferson Tools retailers. For more from Jefferson Tools, click here.

Click Scolmore revolutionising electrical installations

Following its hugely successful foray into the consumer unit market in 2021 with its comprehensive Elucian range, Click Scolmore is ready to further revolutionise electrical installations with the launch of its new Elucian three phase Distribution Board collection. Scolmore has invested significantly to evolve its Elucian offer and bring to market an extensive range of three phase metal distribution boards, protective devices and accessories. Developed with the installer as the focus, and sold exclusively through the professional electrical wholesaler channel, the new Elucian three phase range has been designed to deliver reliable performance, safety and flexibility for commercial and industrial installations. The comprehensive range will ensure compliance with the latest industry standards. Regulation compliant Three phase distribution boards are designed to be widely used across various sectors due to their ability to efficiently handle larger loads. Typical applications might include industrial settings, commercial buildings, data centres and retail spaces. Elucian’s distribution boards are meticulously designed and engineered to deliver consistent, high-performance results, making them a trusted choice for professionals. Each board undergoes rigorous testing to meet and exceed BS EN 61439-3 standards, ensuring compliance with safety, durability and functionality requirements. This thorough process guarantees that the products will provide dependable, long-lasting solutions for even the most demanding electrical installations, whilst offering peace of mind to installers and ensuring compliance with BS 7671. The full Elucian three phase range consists of distribution boards, extension boards, circuit protective devices, energy meters and accessories. Three phase distribution boards The range comprises a total of seven distribution boards – 4, 6, 8, 12,16, 20 and 24 Way. Designed with a modern finish, they boast a number of key features: 4 and 6-way boards: Developed specifically to only work with a 125A incomer, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility for safe and efficient power distribution. They are supplied with gear tray and busbars pre-installed. 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24-way boards: These offer versatile configurations, allowing the installer to choose between any Elucian RCCB, 125A Isolator or 250A Isolator. Device alignment: The boards will maintain device alignment when fully installed, ensuring a neat and organised appearance. Quick release doors: These are fitted with spring clips, making them quick and easy to remove. The doors can be re-fitted on the opposite side, providing ultimate flexibility. SPD installation: SPD for the 4 and 6-way boards can be installed on additional phase connectors. On 8-way and larger boards, it can be integrated into the main switch or busbar. Other features include: Ventilation slots Trunking entry Stacked boards Double stacked terminals Cable tie mounts Space for cables Internal earth nut Additional connection to phases Circuit protection devices The circuit protection devices range is designed to complement and populate the three phase distribution boards and extension boxes. The evolution of the Elucian range to move into three phase calls for larger sized devices (3 pole and 4 pole), higher rated/breaking capacity devices (10kA) and D Curve devices. These devices are ideal for safeguarding complex electrical systems while ensuring seamless operation and compliance. The range comprises: Mains isolator switches – 3 and 4 pole 125A and 250A. Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) – Type A and B. Surge Protection Device (SPD) – Type 1 and 2 and Type 2. Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) – available in B and C curves (AFDD + MCB in B Curve only). Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) – 1 and 3 pole B, C and D Curve (6A to 63A). Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO) – available in B and C Curve. Three Phase Multi-Function Energy Meter Kit – designed for seamless integration into all the distribution boards. Supplied as a complete kit. Blanks – single and 3-way Din Rail Blank Module with 125A and 250A Adaptors. Accessories A range of essential accessories is also available. These include three phase to single phase converter, 125A and 250A busbar caps, three phase isolator locking kit, three phase RCD link kit, RJ45 cable (1500mm), gland plates and blank plates. For more from Click Scolmore, click here.

Spitfire Homes chooses Luceco Group to accelerate sustainable living

Spitfire Homes, a privately-owned company specialising in the construction of sustainable homes, has chosen a complete Luceco Group package to be installed in every home at their new collection of homes in Ellenbrook, Moreton-in-Marsh. Said package includes Sync Energy’s Wall Charger 2 and fully compatible, floor-mounted Single EV Stands, BG Electrical accessories, and Luceco Lighting. Forming part of the Spitfire Homes Bespoke Collection, each property at Ellenbrook features Spitfire’s Signature Specification with each home appointed with a selection of curated brands and materials. Lauren Hudd, Sales Consultant at Ellenbrook, says, “Ellenbrook has been carefully designed to be inspired by the past, but built for the future. As part of this vision, a range of sustainable features have been included to enhance the home’s energy efficiency and facilitate the needs of today’s modern lifestyles. Sync Energy, BG Electrical, and Luceco Lighting are part of our carefully selected specification, enabling Spitfire to deliver a future-proofed home to be proud of.” Sync Energy’s Wall Charger 2 comes with personalised settings such as scheduled charging and optimised cut-off points, as well as a charging capacity of up to 7.4KW, with a standard household single-phase electrical supply. In addition, users can charge dynamically and maximise cheaper rates of electricity, controlled via a smartphone app. Joe Wright, National Housebuilder Account Manager at Luceco, comments, “We are delighted to be Spitfire Homes’ supplier of choice for EV charging points at Ellenbrook and to continue a long-standing relationship which began six years ago - initially supplying a range of BG Electrical accessories and, more recently, Sync Energy and Luceco Lighting.” The specification at Ellenbrook also includes Luceco’s external up/down decorative wall lighting with PIR sensor and adjustable time and lux controls. Inside each home, there are BG Electrical accessories, including BG flatplates in black nickel, switches and sockets, USB sockets, ceiling pendants, and decorative bell pushes. Joe continues, “Homebuilders such as Spitfire are recognising the commercial advantages of the Luceco Group suite of brands and our ability to offer a complete package with the wide range of quality products available. “Customer service support that goes way beyond point of purchase are vital in this market. Our housebuilder offer is all about long-term partnership, including long-term support for homeowners, alongside a comprehensive range of designer lighting and electrical products for today’s energy-efficient homes. We have delivered across design, efficiency, and sustainability to meet the high specification of this premium collection - it’s been a fantastic project to work on and we look forward to seeing the site progress.” For more from Luceco, click here.