“Safety runs through every aspect of installation and use of new technologies”.
As the electrification of the UK accelerates, the expertise of the electrical industry is often overlooked. Yet, ECA Members who design, install and maintain net zero technologies are central to the energy transition. They are problem solvers and integrators, the interface between consumers, consultants, construction and operators. They secure the safe and reliable electricity we all enjoy today.
Qualified and competent electricians guarantee interrelated technologies are installed and maintained safely. Without them, performance and safety will be reduced, leading to more carbon emissions. They collaborate with others to deliver energy efficiency and a safe, clean environment. And, increasingly, their role is that of professional educator.
The transition to net zero relies on adherence to Building Safety Regulations and competent, qualified electricians to provide safe and effective solutions for consumers and the whole country.
“
Clean electricity has the advantage of being a more secure, stable and cheaper energy source than other fuels
”
Steve Bratt, ECA CEO
What is the issue?
Poor regulation of low carbon installations.
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Poor regulation of low carbon installations.
Installing electrical technology can be complex and dangerous, with the potential for endangering lives through fire, electric shock or grid outage.
Lack of independent advice on low carbon installation.
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Lack of independent advice on low carbon installation.
Only by understanding and installing the right technology for a building can the energy efficiency, cost savings, and emissions targets be met. Unsuitable technology can have safety implications, increase energy use, and dent consumer trust.
Electricity is taxed four times more than gas.
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Electricity is taxed four times more than gas.
Electricity is now a ‘cleaner ’energy source than gas. The inflated price of electricity is due to an outdated energy levy model.
Safe and efficient systems need ongoing maintenance.
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Safe and efficient systems need ongoing maintenance.
This is often omitted from cost or energy outcomes of low carbon installations. Installations subject to inefficient maintenance can present hazards such as electric shock and fires.
Picking ‘winners’ in installation race will not reduce emissions.
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Picking ‘winners’ in installation race will not reduce emissions.
A diverse range of low-carbon technologies exist for heating buildings, generating, controlling, flexing, and storing energy.
What is ECA calling for?
Building Safety Standards to apply to all new technologies.
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Building Safety Standards to apply to all new technologies.
• Equivalent safety, product, and competence standards for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Policy changes to embed safety as a principle by recognising the competence required of the installer.
Rebalancing of energy taxation.
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Rebalancing of energy taxation.
• A review of fuel levies to bring parity between gas and electricity.
• A reduction in the price of electricity.
A broadening of incentives for low carbon technologies.
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A broadening of incentives for low carbon technologies.
• Incentives to be based on carbon reduction outcomes, rather a specific technology.
• A ‘technology agnostic’ approach to incentives.
• Expand the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include installation of low carbon heating devices.
Electrification of UK transport
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Electrification of UK transport
• Safe and compliant installation of EV ChargePoints suited to the needs of the end user.
• Meaningful collaboration between energy suppliers, manufacturers, designers, installers, local, regional and national government, and asset owners to ensure safe and compliant installation of all forms of electric transport.
A Prosumer revolution
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A Prosumer revolution
• Incentives for Prosumers
• Electrical Installations using onsite generation eg: solar PV or local wind generation) and electrical energy storage systems (EESS).
• End users to have access to independent advice and information about prosumer installations.
“
The electrotechnical industry is poised to deliver the safe, productive and low-carbon buildings and infrastructure that will meet our immediate and future needs and support the drive towards Net Zero
”
Watch Dr Mike Pitts, Innovate UK on Decarbonising Heat and Transport.
Jane Dawson, Head of External Affairs, explains how ECA is spearheading a safe transition to Net Zero and how our Members play a vital role in powering the UK’s energy future.
ECA's Safe Transition To Net Zero Activity
ECA Calls for Levy Cuts
November 2025: ECA and over 50 organisations call on the government to reduce electricity levies to speed up the shift to cleaner energy. Read more >
Online product safety demands
August 2025: ECA joined a coalition of UK groups urging tougher rules and penalties to ensure online product safety via an open letter to the Government. Read more >
Member receives ConstructZero award
July 2025: ECA Member RDM’s Chris Jenkins has been named a CO2nstructZero Business Champion for leading efforts toward net zero in construction. Read more >
ECA meets CCC
July 2025: Jane Dawson, Head of External Affairs at ECA, and Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) discussed pathways to net zero that were highlighted in the Blueprint for Electrification report.
ECA Develops Solar Road Map
July 2025: ECA and NFRC developed the Solar Road Map report, which set steps needed for the government and industry to deliver 45-47 GW of solar by 2030 – which will support up to 35,000 jobs and use less than half a percent of total UK land. Read more >
ECA shapes electrical safety guidance
July 2025: ECA Members helped shape new national safety guidance on secondary low-voltage supplies, helping to improve access and consistency for life-critical electrical systems. Read more >
LIA Supports Blueprint report
June 2025: The Lighting Industry Association (LIA) fully supports ECA’s Blueprint for Electrification report as a timely and essential call to action.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
June 2025: ECA says clean heat installs must be carried out by a ‘competent person’.
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
May 2025: The opportunities of the energy transition are huge. It will reshape the way we power our homes, businesses, and infrastructure, unlocking new opportunities while protecting households and industries from the volatility of fossil fuel markets. The UK’s journey to net zero will be defined by its ability to electrify. Read more >
ECA urges uphold of Warm Homes
May 2025: ECA joins 53 businesses and related trade bodies who work on home upgrade installs, manufacturing and finance to sign a letter to Government to honour its manifesto commitment to invest £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan.
ECA Backs Energy Security Drive
April 2025: ECA joins more than 130 organisations across Europe calling on governments around the world to anchor renewables, efficiency, storage and grids at the core of national energy plans and policies. Read more >
ECA call for reform of electricity tax
April 2025: ECA join others in call for reform electricity taxation in open letter to Ed Milliband. Read more >
ECA Calls for Warm Homes Funding
March 2025: ECA and eight trade associations representing 4,000 businesses called on the government to honour its £13.2 million Warm Homes Plan pledge.
Electrifying our Future
February 2025: ECA launches Electrifying our Future series
BEAMA joins ECA campaign
January 2025: BEAMA joins ECA's Electrifying our Future campaign as Strategic Partner.
Modern Industrial Strategy Submission
December 2024: Call for electrotechnical sector to be a priority in Modern Industrial Strategy.
Update: Electrification Inquiry
December 2024: ECA urges Net Zero Committee for Inquiry on electrification.
Electrifying British industry inquiry
December 2024: ECA joins calls for government inquiry into barriers to electrifying industry.
Energy UK joins Electrifying our Future
December 2024: Energy UK joins Electrifying our Future as strategic partner.
ECA calls for effective reform
October 2024: For radical reform to be effective, Government must set a permissive framework, with robust regulations, which are consistently enforced to ensure individual and national safety. Read more >
ECA responds to final Grenfell report
September 2024: ECA has responded to the Grenfell Tower final report by welcoming changes to the Building Regulations and standards of competence in the built environment. Read more >
Electrifying our Future
July 2024: New partnership to amplify safe transition to net zero.
ECA speak at Installation Seminar
May 2024: ECA Head of Technical Standards Gary Parker, and Senior Vice President Ruth Devine, joined a panel at the Electrical Safety First Installation Seminar discussing the importance of electrical core competencies to safe installations.
ECA submits to ESNZ Committee inquiry
April 2024: Submission to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s inquiry into the Economics of the Energy Sector.
ECA joins FutureBuild panel
March 2024: Jane Dawson, ECA Head of Public Relations and Public Affairs, joined the panel for a session on Decarbonising Heat in Buildings at FutureBuild at the ExCeL in London.
New Report by SEA
January 2024: ECA joins DSENZ speakers at launch of Technology Agnostic report.
Northen Ireland’s Call for Evidence
January 2024: ECA responds to Northen Ireland’s Call for Evidence on Renewable Energy.
ECA meets Shadow Minister
November 2023: ECA meets Shadow Minister for Roads and Transport to discuss EV charging infrastructure.
ECA meets CEO of Climate Change Committee
November 2023: ECA meets CEO of Climate Change Committee about implementation of UK 2035 net zero targets.
ECA Guide to Net Zero
September 2023: ECA’s guide to Net Zero launched at Roadshow. Read more >
ECA pitch ideas for electricity taxation inquiry
DNSNZ picks ECA to pitch ideas for Parliamentary Inquiry into electricity taxation. Read more >
ECA's #ProjectNetZero Roadshow 2023
June 2023: ECA’s Project Net Zero Roadshow
Leading the Charge award finalist
May 2023: ECA is named as a finalist at the 2023 Unlock Net Zero Live Awards. Our Leading The Charge campaign is shortlisted within the Collaboration of the year - energy projects category. Read more >
ECA meets Energy Shadow Minister
April 2023: ECA meets Dr Alan Whitehead, Shadow Minister for Energy to discuss the issues that matter most to our Members. These include the skills crisis facing our industry and the importance of listening to electricians who are central to the delivery of mass electrification. Read more >
Solar panels power planes
March 2023: ECA Member installs solar panels for Light Aircraft Company to save energy costs. Watch here >
Holistic decarbonisation
February 2023: Technology Agnostic Approach to Heat and Buildings report launch in Houses of Parliament. Read more >
ECA welcomes Net Zero department
February 2023: ECA has broadly welcomed the creation of the new Government Department for Energy Security and net Zero. Read more >
ECA scoops award for Net Zero campaign
November 2022: ECA wins CLC’s Construct Zero Partner of the year 2022. Read more >
Skidmore Net Zero Review
November 2022: Renewable energy is the strategic solution to lowering energy costs and increasing efficiency and energy security.
Electricity market review
October 2022: In response to the Review of the Electricity Market, ECA calls on government to encourage flexible, local initiatives which reduce demand on the grid and lower levies on generating green electricity.
Leading the Charge premiere
September 2022: ECA documentary about the apprentices helping transform the energy market to net zero electricity. Screening at The Royal Society for an invited audience of industry, education and policy leaders.
ECA launches Leading the Charge
September 2022: ECA launches Leading the Charge telling the story of a transformative moment, when electrotechnical professionals seize the potential of clean electricity to fulfil the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Open letter on fuel taxation
September 2022: ECA, alongside other key partners, sends an open letter to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak – calling for the new PM to consider rebalancing taxes on fuel bills.
ECA launches Making the Switch
July 2022: ECA launches Making the Switch – calling for a rebalancing gas and electricity taxes on fuel bills.
ECA submits evidence to inquiry
June 2022: ECA joined 50 organisations from academia, business and charity who gave evidence to the Government’s Fossil Fuel Inquiry. We called for a National Retrofit Strategy and more investment in wind and solar. We also highlighted the need to rebalance unequal tax on gas and electricity to encourage the switch to low carbon electricity.
EV charging an election issue
May 2022: Ahead of the local elections, Luke Osborne urges voters to make public EV charging roll out an election issue. Watch now >
ECA on Energy Security Strategy
April 2022: ECA points out energy efficiency is missing from the new Energy Security Strategy and urges government to focus on retrofitting UK’s aging housing stock
EV Network Strategy published
March 2022: ECA warns market-led approach may jeopardise the quality and safety of EV charge point installations.
VAT removed on renewable products
March 2022: Chancellor removes VAT on renewable products - achieving one of ECA’s policy asks.
Ahead of Spring Statement
March 2022: Open letter to Chancellor with industry and renewable energy providers asking to remove VAT on renewable products.
ESF roundtable on EV charge point safety
February 2022: ECA presents data on patchy local authority approach to EVCP roll out.
Response to SMMT EV infrastructure report
February 2022: There can be no EV charge point network in the UK without an upskilled electrical workforce.
Content with Purpose partnership
January 2022: Media partnership to document the transition to net zero electricity - leading the charge.
BEIS consultations
January 2022: ECA submits responses to phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid and a market based mechanism for low carbon heat.
Rise in EV sales
January 2022: The Society of Motoring Manufacturers cites ECA data about regional inconsistencies in EV Charging points.
Energy crisis
January 2022: Luke Osbourne appears in YouTube video stating ECA’s position on net zero.
COP26
November 2021: Member firm, EFT and ECA staff attend events in Glasgow.
Freedom of Information request
October 2021: ECA gathers data about local authority plans for roll out of EV charging points.
EVCP postcode lottery
July 2021: ECA raises alarm about the inconsistent approach to EV charging and calls for a national EV strategy.
Consultation responses
April 2021: ECA responds to public consultations on EV Charging Points and Future Buildings Standards.
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