'Net zero phrase should be scrapped,' GB Energy chair tells major housing conference
- Net zero "doesn't mean anything to anyone," chair of GB Energy tells major conference
- Juergen Maier CBE was speaking at UKReiif, attended by more than 16,000 delegates
- Also said the future of power is about "reindustrialisation, prosperity and energy security"
- Salix attended discussions focussing on clean energy creation, building sustainable properties and retrofit
"Just scrap the word net zero. It's politicised and doesn't mean anything to anyone," the chair of Great British Energy has told a major property conference.
Juergen Maier CBE, a former CEO of Siemens, described the future of power in the UK as being about "reindustrialisation, prosperity and energy security" and declared that "renewable energy is now cheaper end-to-end."
Salix was among more than 16,000 delegates at the event in Leeds as we took part in discussions and attended panels and presentations from elected mayors and local authorities, government departments, energy networks, charities and politicians.
UKReiif describes its aims as "unlocking investment and driving regeneration and development across the UK to accelerate economic growth."
Juergen Maier CBE was in conversation with chair of Humber Freeport, Finbarr Dowling at the UKReiif event in Leeds. Picture credit: Salix Finance
Great British Energy earlier this month marked its first year as the UK's publicly owned clean energy company.
Asked about its role, Mr Maier talked about supporting areas where the private sector may not be, describing the huge potential of hydrogen, floating wind and carbon capture, while also creating a supply chain.
"Industrial revolution elevates a region," he told the audience as he pointed out that one third of offshore wind is produced in the Humber.
"The pain is going to lessen. It shouldn't take another global energy crisis to learn the lesson.
"We've talked too much about dirty to clean. It's divisive and it's not fair to people who worked in oil and gas. This is a transition and we've got to take the same skills into a different energy. We didn't invest in the new fast enough."
'Community energy and local power excites me'
"We have to take communities with us. All they hear is it's expensive," he said - describing GB Energy's Local Power Plan, adding that "community energy and local power excite me."
"Scandinavia, Germany and Austria give communities more stake and show them the results.
"Individuals can't afford solar panels or heat pumps, but at community level you can."
Asked what success in the role was for him, he said that wthin five years he'd like to see "cheaper energy for local communites and creating industrial champions that create jobs."
'The greenest building is the one that's already built'
It was a busy three days at the conference, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves among the big names from politics and business in attendance.
We repeatedly heard the phrase "the greenest building is the one that's already built," including in sessions around retrofit and regenerative design.
At Salix, we recently supported Glasgow City Council to upgrade the iconic Kelvin Hall, which was featured in one of the sessions. The Category B listed building now generates 20 per cent of its energy from solar.
We attended the panel titled "Retrofit or Ruin: Planning for the future of heritage," with a panel featuring Tom Burrows - chief sustainability officer, Grosnvenor, Ian Morrison - director of public policy and evidence, Historic England, Ingrid Samuel - director of placemaking and heritage, National Trust and Emma Fletcher - low carbon homes director, Octopus Energy.
A discussion titled "Retrofit or Ruin" tackled the future for the three million homes in England that are listed buildings or in conservation areas. Picture credit: Salix Finance
Other sessions we attended across the conference included:
- Learning how a new town being built near Bristol will have solar panels and heat pumps in every home
- Discussion around public versus private sector investment in decarbonisation, including a local NHS Trust manager
- How to work with governments and local authorities following the recent local council and devolved parliament elections
- A panel of elected mayors
We also connected with a range of partners and stakeholders from across the clean energy and public sector space including Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, NHS Trusts, National Wealth Fund, higher education providers including the University of Glasgow, numerous local councils from Aberdeenshire to Gloucestershire, heat network providers, contractors, and many more.
A digital artist was doing live drawings featuring the themes from the session about the West of England.
