Energy efficiency ‘most important area’ for government to focus on, report finds

That is according to a new report by the Royal Academy of Engineering that summarises engineers’ response to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper, which was published in January.

The Engineering an economy that works for all report includes evidence gathered through a series of workshops and a survey of almost 1,300 engineers, who were asked to address the questions posed in the Green Paper.

Of the respondents, 60% said that energy costs were a significant issue for their organisation.

The report calls on government, through the Emissions Reduction Plan, to deliver a stable medium- to long-term energy strategy that provides the confidence and certainty required to plan to meet the Climate Change Act and Paris Agreement obligations, said the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which contributed to the report.

Stefaan Simons, IChemE Energy Centre chairman, said: “In a time of uncertainty, the one thing that is certain is the need for the UK to move to a low-carbon economy. A holistic and long-term view of energy generation and energy use is essential to support a successful UK economy, healthy society and tackle wider global issues including climate change.”

The report also outlines features of an integrated energy solution that would take into account system interdependencies and opportunities to integrate electricity, heat and transport systems.

The solution would build on all available low carbon technologies including CCS, nuclear power and heat networks, the report finds.

Louise Kingham, chief executive of the Energy Institute, said: “The message from the engineering community is clear. If the government’s industrial strategy is to make the most of the opportunities it should have greater energy efficiency and a system wide approach at its heart.”