Renewable Energy Installer October 2015 | Page 5

News ¸;OL/LH[PUN 9LUL^HISLZ9VHKZOV^OHZILLUHWLYMLJ[Ä[MVY\Z¹ Jim Boyce, Intergas Heating p11 Scottish minister blasts ‘extreme’ FiT cuts Fergus Ewing, Scottish minister for business, energy and tourism, has strongly condemned proposed cuts to the Feed-in Tariff peaking at The Heating & Renewables Renewable in Edinburgh on September 22, Mr Ewing said that ambitious targets to generate 100 percent of Scotland’s electricity needs from green sources by 2020 were at threat from decisions being made by the UK government in Westminster. He has also called on DECC to confirm that the RHI will be protected from the round of spending cuts which will be announced in next month’s Comprehensive Spending Review. “Our policy support has galvanised a whole green industry in Scotland which is S now sadly under threat. We believe business leaders need certainty,” said Mr Ewing. “We have forged ahead with this agenda because it is right for the planet, right for the economy and has massive support from younger generations. We make no bones about it, this is our agenda and we will drive on with it. “The RHI and FiT serve a purpose. Therefore we are lobbying the UK government and Lord Bourne that RHI is not a casualty of the spending review. We think the RHI has a place and must be confirmed. There needs to be a reduction in tariffs, but what is proposed is extreme.” War of words: Scottish renewable energy policy is increasingly at odds with that of the UK government, says Scottish energy minister Fergus Ewing ESOS deadline looms for 10,000 businesses Corbyn appoints new shadow energy secretary Up to 10,000 businesses must take urgent action or risk falling foul of new energy efficiency legislation, warns SSE Enterprise Lisa Nandy has been appointed shadow energy secretary by new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, following the latter’s recent election as leader of the opposition ll companies employing more than 250 people or with an annual turnover in excess of £40m must carry out an ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme) audit by 05 December, or risk financial sanctions. ESOS audits must be repeated every four years, and failure to comply could result in a £50,000 fine and daily penalties of £500. With less than 10 weeks to go, managing director of SSE Enterprise Energy Solutions, stresses that time A is rapidly running out for businesses to complete their audits. “Companies must act now to be sure they’ll comply before the deadline,” he said. “This legislation will not just ensure businesses are more energy efficient but could identify significant cost savings to the tune of £1.6bn. “Energy management is a crucial part of responsible business practice today – both in terms of the environmental impact and the financial benefits for organisations.” isa has been an MP for Wigan since 2010 and replaces Caroline Flint, who leaves the shadow cabinet following her defeat in the Labour leadership race to Mr Corbyn. Paul McCullagh, CEO of UrbanWind, has welcomed Lisa Nandy’s appointment and urged her to drive renewables further up the political agenda in her new role. “We welcome the appointment of Lisa Nandy as a young and ambitious minister to the role of shadow energy secretary. We hope she can deliver the vigour and drive to push forward Jeremy Corbyn’s ambitious renewable energy policies, and to hold the government to account for its woeful failure to support the renewable energy sector.” L Renewable Energy Installer takes care to ensure that the information published is accurate and timely. Articles written by contributors for publication are checked where practicable for accuracy, but are accepted and published in good faith and Renewable Energy Installer cannot be held responsible for information that subsequently proves not to be accurate. Advertisers are responsible for the information contained in their adverts, and Renewable Energy Installer does not accept responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information contained in the adverts. www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 5