The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) claims that 2014 is perfectly placed to become the year of renewables and energy efficiency in the UK.
The association cites the introduction of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), the simplified Green Deal scheme, and continued public support for renewables as the reasons for its optimistic prediction.
Managing director of NAPIT Certification, David Cowburn, explained: “So much positivity is evident in these industries at the moment, it is quite likely that 2014 could be the year of renewables and energy efficiency. With Greg Barker announcing in Parliament that he believes renewable heat installations will increase to approximately 35,000 installations in 2014-15 as a result of the domestic RHI scheme – this shows the government’s commitment.”
NAPIT believes that strong green UK policy will help support the predicted growth. For example, the association predicts that the new online tool for consumers, improved Green Deal advice report and £1,000 stamp duty rebate for all new householders who implement Green Deal approved efficiency improvements will help boost the energy efficiency market in 2014.
In addition, the strong performance of the feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme and the upcoming introduction of the domestic RHI are predicted to help drive uptake of renewable technologies, helping the UK meet renewables targets and curb rising energy bills.
Cowburn concluded: “A lot of business is set to be generated through renewables and energy efficiency measures in the coming year; installers are perfectly placed to reap the benefits.”
Despite NAPIT’s positive outlook, there remain a number of challenges facing the renewable and energy efficiency markets. Despite the promised reforms to the Green Deal, there are only 458 ‘live’ Green Deal plans in the UK. In addition, cuts to its sister scheme, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), have led to a fall in energy efficiency measures being installed in the UK.
