EWS | DIGEST IN BRIEF Third of properties failing to meet MEES standard Less than one third of the UKs office stock currently meets the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) required to be lettable from 2027, according to Carter Jonas. The property consultancy says only 31.6% of the stock is band C or better, the proposed MEES standard by 2027. And just 8.3% of the stock would satisfy the proposed MEES requirement of EPC band B from 2030. Given the proposed tightening of the MEES regulations, it warns that a substantial proportion of office buildings will be unlettable by 2027 if upgrades are not carried out. Heat pump distance rules set to be scrapped Autumn Statement looks to free up planning regime for green infrastructure The government has pledged to investigate scrapping rules that stipulate heat pumps must be located a metre from a property boundary, but has been criticised for not taking more action to tackle energy efficiency in its Autumn Statement. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced plans to consult on introducing new permitted development rights that would end the blanket restriction on heat pumps being one metre from a property boundary in England. This move, which is designed to reduce delays in installing heat pumps, is part of a wider package of measures announced to ease the planning regime for low carbon infrastructure. The statement outlines the governments response to National Infrastructure Commissioner Nick Winsers review of transmission network planning, published in August. And it proposes implementing the former National Grid CEOs recommendation to offer energy bill discounts and packages of community benefits to those most affected by the construction of new transmission infrastructure. The governments response to Winsers review also kick-starts work on drawing up a spatial plan for the nations energy infrastructure. Other measures included a pledge to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to prioritise the rollout of electric vehicle chargepoints, including charging hubs. Josh Emden, senior research fellow at the leftof-centre IPPR thinktank, said there was nothing new on funding for energy efficiency or clean heat, despite the UK having some of the worst housing stock in Europe. Juliet Phillips, senior policy adviser at E3G, said major gaps remained in energy efficiency and clean heat policy with private renters having drawn the short straw after the Prime Ministers decision not to implement regulations requiring upgrades of privately rented homes. Ceiling price for offshore wind projects raised The government has dramatically increased the ceiling price for its flagship renewable power support scheme after this years auction failed to attract any offshore wind bids. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced on 16 November that strike price on offer for offshore wind projects in next years Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 has been increased by 66% to 73/MWh. The strike prices for floating offshore wind, geothermal, solar and tidal projects have also received big increases. A surge in the cost of delivering offshore wind meant that the 44/MWh offered by the government this year for fixed bottom generation was too low to attract bidders. Government failing to tackle catastrophic energy waste The government has been accused of failing to match its rhetoric on tackling long-term challenges in the Kings Speech by not bringing forward measures to deal with catastrophic energy waste from UK buildings. UK Green Building Council head of policy and public affairs Louise Hutchins said: The government claimed to set out an agenda to tackle the long-term challenges facing the UK, yet introduced no legislation or proposals to address the catastrophic levels of energy waste from homes and buildings that are fuelling the cost-of-living and climate crises. Formally pulling the plug on minimum energy efficiency standards for private rented homes will condemn millions of people living in fuel poverty to continue enduring cold, mouldy homes. As we hurtle towards climate disaster, opening up new oil and gas extraction, while failing to deal with the huge demand from gas heating in buildings will only take us further off course from the net zero future we so desperately need. Skills shortage key barrier to green energy growth IEA Rowley is new housing minister Lee Rowley has been promoted to Minister of State for Housing, after spending the past year overseeing building safety at the levelling up department. Rowley replaced Rachel Maclean as Housing Minister as part of a wider reshuffle of the government that also saw Therese Coffey make way for Steve Barclay as Secretary of State for the Environment. A growing number of energy industries are citing skilled labour shortages as a key barrier to ramping up activity, according to a new report. The worldwide survey of 160 energy firms, carried out by the International Energy Agency, finds the number of workers pursuing degrees or certifications relevant to jobs in the sector is not keeping pace with growing demand. These shortages are particularly strong for vocations such as electricians specialised in energy-sector work, as well as professionals in science, technology and engineering, it says. www.cibsejournal.com December 2023 7 CIBSE Dec 23 pp07 News.indd 7 24/11/2023 17:52