UKGBC assembles renewable energy procurement taskforce

The UK Green Building Council has assembled a team of cross-industry experts to work on its renewable energy procurement guidance. UKGBC said it wanted to better equip those who procure energy for buildings, allowing them to do so in a way which helps achieve climate goals at the asset level, and contributes to the continued decarbonisation of the energy supply sector as a whole. Tom Wigg, senior advisor at UKGBC, said: “As we move away from fossil fuel sources of energy to heat our buildings and power our transport systems, rapid action is needed now to secure a resilient supply of renewable energy and ensure our climate targets can be achieved.” To support the project, UKGBC has mobilised a 17-strong team of cross-industry experts ranging from developers and energy consultants to legal experts. The new Task Group will be responsible for fine-tuning the final scope of the project, sharing knowledge, completing research and reviewing material in support of the project’s final guidance documents. Wigg added: “The new Task Group will work together to determine how to robustly assess the quality and performance of an energy product and create tailored guidance to enable customers of all types and sizes to better navigate the procurement options available to them, as well as considering how this information can help customers more accurately calculate the impact of their consumption and procurement strategies.” The project will build on guidance published in 2021 on renewable energy procurement and carbon offsetting and seek to provide greater insight into the myriad of procurement circumstances the industry currently faces. It is estimated that, by 2050, 80% of buildings will use electric heat pumps, as well as large amounts of building-level renewables, including solar photovoltaics. Buildings will also need to be increasingly flexible, able to actively manage their demand to respond to the availability of zero-carbon electricity on the grid. UKGBC said it would produce further guidance to inform and improve energy procurement decisions, and also seek to improve engagement between energy suppliers and energy customers. The Task Group individuals supporting the project include:  Joanna Burton, principal sustainability consultant, Acclaro Advisory Nick Proctor, founder and CEO, Amber Greg Borel, managing partner, Ampersand Emma Andrews, director, Burges Salmon Ben Richardson, associate director, Buro Happold Rebekah Needham, associate director – renewable energy, CBRE Samantha Carlsson, senior sustainability manager, Derwent London Andy Haigh, director, climate positive solutions, Grosvenor Phil Pearson, project director, utilities and energy infrastructure, Hoare Lea David Mead, associate – property and asset management, JLL Andy Mazzucchelli, energy and sustainability manager, Landsec Simon Crowe, managing director, Low Carbon Alliance Alexander Crockford, senior counsel, real estate (construction), Macfarlanes Nils Rage, head of ESG, Stanhope Kirsty Berry, director of projects, Syzygy Kyle Gray, energy efficiency and carbon manager – purpose, stakeholder and sustainability, Crown Estate James Blake, director, head of sustainability, Turley To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews