As part of an initiative to support the creation of the estimated 35,000 jobs required, the Heat Networks Industry Council has announced a nationwide workforce skills survey.
35,000 is the number of jobs estimated as required in order to enable heat networks to supply around a fifth of the UK’s heat by 2050.
According to the Committee on Climate Change, to achieve net zero cost-effectively, low-carbon heat networks will need to supply around 20% of heat by 2050.
Growing the heat network sector to this level—from around the 2-3% currently supplied—offers substantial economic opportunities in job creation and will require some £60–£80 billion of investment.
The Heat Networks Industry Council (HeatNIC), a joint industry and government forum, has commissioned a survey of the sector’s current skills to support achieving that ambition.
Charlotte Large, director of strategy and decarbonisation, Bring Energy, a member of HeatNIC’s skills working group, said: “Heat networks are expected to grow exponentially but to develop at the pace required, we need the skills, jobs, and knowledge to make it happen.
“By having a better understanding of the talent and skills available across the country, we can plan effectively and mobilise a workforce that is able to deliver low-carbon heating across towns and cities throughout the UK.”
Where the workforce can be applied
Several clean heating schemes are being introduced to the UK’s low-carbon technology sector each year as the industry continues to expand.
For example, ScottishPower announced the launch of two clean heating schemes; one tackles heat pump installation, while the other provides energy-efficient heating.
The first of the two includes the appointment of ScottishPower’s second heat pump installation provider, Plug Me In.
Engineers from partners Plug Me In and Everwarm will install heat pumps for customers on behalf of ScottishPower’s Smart Solutions division across the UK.
The latter-mentioned scheme was launched in conjunction with innovation centre Energy Systems Catapult as the company’s first trial of its Warm Home Prescription (WHP).
The trial will see the installation of improved energy efficiency measures, such as upgraded or new home insulation and even air source heat pumps, as part of ongoing efforts to support vulnerable customers living in homes with low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings.
Under the new partnership, once the Catapult team has identified those homes, ScottishPower will arrange to supply and install appropriate improvements. This may include upgraded or new insulation in lofts, cavity walls, under floors, upgraded heating systems like air source heat pumps, and even solar panels where suitable.
The upgrades will be delivered at no cost to the householder as part of ScottishPower’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO), a UK government scheme that sets targets for all major energy suppliers to help improve homes across the country.
