Build Magazine September 2015

Build Magazine 29 the future of the construction industry. Not only is this sector spearheading the charge for energy efficiency, the future for green energy also looks to be incredibly prosper- ous, which is fantastic for construction. The UK Green Building Council released a report last year that stated “the construc- tion and maintenance of buildings and other structures is responsible for around half of UK carbon dioxide emissions.” With such a heavy dependence on energy, the path to a clean and efficient future isn’t necessarily going to be an easy one, and those working in construction will face a host of challenges in order to achieve eco-friendliness. One area of funding to take a hit recently was subsidy schemes that help to fund solar panels, as well as the funding to onshore wind farms. However, despite the cuts that have been made to renewable energy development, this area has actually experienced growth. Latest figures from the government show that in Q2 2015, the total share of electricity generated by renewables rose to a record high of 25%. There has also been good news for solar panels, as in 2014 the UK’s capacity for solar photovoltaic energy grew by 89% thanks to the Renewables Obligation, which was responsible for boosting the deployment of solar panels. One of the most vital ways to achieve greater energy efficiency will be through the use of solar panels on all levels, from simple instalments on buildings to large solar farms. The part that the construction industry will play in achieving this cannot be underestimated, as the installation and maintenance of solar panels will fall heavily on their shoulders. Can the construction industry help to lower our energy prices? Not only are the construction industry’s efforts towards energy efficiency fantastic news for the environment, they will also have a tremendously beneficial knock-on effect for the rest of the UK. As construc- tion gets greener, these good practices will be passed onto new homes and offices to ensure they are consuming less energy. That’s where the benefits of going green start to kick in. One of the largest advan- tages will be the positive effects on energy prices, which will start to decrease as renewable energy becomes more prom- inent and our dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels decreases. Sources of energy such as solar, wind and tidal will never run out, thus will bring prices down, and they are certainly something Britain has enough of. If we use less energy, the less we will have to produce. Consuming less, along with continued development towards total dependence on renewable energy, will cause energy prices to be much cheaper in the long run, and for a great deal longer. Of course, a time when 100% of the UK’s energy comes from the skies or the sea is still a long way off. But until then everyone, from homes and offices to transport and construction firms, should take steps towards reducing our energy consumption, even if it’s one tiny step at a time. Phil Foster is the CEO of Love Energy Sav- ings, a North West-based business energy comparison specialist who are committed to saving businesses money on their gas and electricity bills. Eco Building