While the recent axing of a major offshore wind farm project is a major blow to the government’s’ clean power target, a key driver in the fight for net zero must always be to focus on ‘fabric first’, says European insulation specialist Actis
The Hornsea 4 project, off the coast of East Yorkshire, would have become one of the biggest offshore wind farms in the world with a potential capacity of 2.4GW – enough to power more than a million homes.
As a major player in the government’s drive to ensure 95% of the UK’s power comes from wind, solar, nuclear and biomass by 2030, some fear this target is now unachievable. Although this view is not shared by former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee Chris Stark, who heads up the government’s Clean Power 2030 initiative.
50% of the country’s power comes from renewables
But Actis, whose Hybrid and Eolis HC insulation systems reduce thermal bridging, says while renewables clearly play an important role in cutting emissions, the first step must always be to improve a building’s fabric efficiency.
Actis UK and Ireland technical manager Harsha Mistry explained: “We must all reduce the need to use energy in the first place, rather than expecting to use the same amount of fuel but in a less damaging environmental way. It is the single most important element in reducing domestic emissions.
“Energy efficiency standards should always be based on reducing the need for energy first through more use of efficient building technologies and in particular limiting the heat loss through thermal elements – that is through achieving excellent U-values, reducing thermal bridging and improving air tightness – the fabric first principle.
“Obviously renewables have a very important role to play, but only once the thermal efficiency of the physical structure is maximised.”
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