ICE press comment on OFGEM Energy Security Plans

Commenting on the OFGEM energy security plans set out last week, Tom Foulkes, ICE Director General, said:

“The UK’s energy situation is precarious and securing energy supply that is sustainable, affordable and low carbon presents a huge and urgent challenge.

“However it is increasingly clear that the current energy model is not capable of meeting this challenge. Prompt action from Government and industry is crucial in order to activate a joined-up approach between heat, transport and electricity generation, resolve funding issues and really drive forward energy efficiency. The energy sector underpins our economy - if confidence in the security of UK energy supply is lost our global competitiveness will be severely affected”

Prospective Parliamentary Candidates reception

Last night a reception took place for prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to meet with and learn about the engineering and construction community.

The event was hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Construction Products Association.
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Peter Hansford, ICE Senior Vice-President, spoke for the organisations and took the opportunity to remind PPCs of the vital role that engineers play nationally and within every constituency, supplying the vital infrastructure to keep transport, water, waste and energy networks working. .
Lord Chidgey, former Liberal Democrat front bench spokesperson and ICE Fellow, welcomed those candidates hopeful of becoming part of the new Parliamentary intake when the next General Election takes place later this year. Speaking to those present he thanked them and reminded them of the importance of the UK construction sector, which represents around 10% of GDP or £110 billion a year.

The reception marks part of an ongoing programme of engagement by the host organisations seeking to maintain and increase knowledge and understanding of the sector to current and future key decision-makers.
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Those candidates who become elected were also invited to join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure when it is reformed in the new Parliament.

Schools engineering challenge reaches new heights

Now in its 7th year, the Annual “ICE & SNOW” Schools Engineering Event in the French Alps has proven once more to attract wide attention.

Supported by the Institution of Civil Engineers and sponsored by leading civil engineering organisations including Aecom, Ove Arup, and Jackson Civil Engineering, the event invites children to solve engineering challenges with only basic equipment and limited time.

This year, the winning team was the all-girls team, led by Megan Charles from Aecom. They devised a robust, reliable and efficient answer to the task. Each team had to construct a mountain first, then conceive a means to transport a marble to its base in the slowest possible time, traveling the longest distance and integrating a variety of obstacles. Entries from all teams produced an innovative and original range of techniques, but it was the all-girls team which won on the day with the most reliable and efficient solution.

The triumphant team included pupils from Sheffield High School, Yorkshire, Old Vicarage School, Darley Abbey, Derby, Angley School in Cranbrook, Kent, Sutton Valence School in Kent. “My team worked incredibly well as a team. They listened, they used initiative and they had immense enthusiasm. They left feeling incredibly engaged with the possibilites engineering offers them” says Charles.

Tom Foulkes, Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers congratulated the winners: “this highly original event has once more demonstrated its ability to engage children with engineering challenges in a highly original way. I congratulate the girls team who showed their particular strength in conceiving a reliable solution to the brief. Nonetheless, I also acknowledge the inventiveness of other entries which impressed the judges enormously. Parents strained to watch the exciting final and gasped with delight to observe their children’s achievements. The ICE is proud to be a supporter of this important event.”

Nine new windfarm zones announced in British waters

This month nine new windfarm zones were announced in British waters. Commenting on the announcement, Director General of Institution of Civil Engineers Tom Foulkes said:

“This announcement is a welcome investment in the future of our energy sector. As the events of the last month have shown the UK’s energy situation is precarious. We urgently need to shift our reliance from fossil fuels to meet ambitious renewable energy targets and address security of supply.

“This could be a significant export opportunity for the UK. We have the engineering expertise to deliver world-class wind farms but we must ensure progress isn’t hindered by planning delays, a lack of skilled engineers and supply chain constraints. Ongoing investment in supporting infrastructure and the national grid itself will be crucial to ensure these projects reach their full potential.”

“If successful, these projects could go a long way to ensure ongoing security of supply.”


The full list of zones given licences is below:

• The Moray Firth Zone Won by EDP Renovaveis and SeaEnergy Renewables. Potential energy yield: 1.3 gigawatts
• The Firth of Forth Zone Won by SSE Renewables and Fluor. Potential energy yield: 3.5 gigawatts
• The Dogger Bank Zone Won by SSE Renewables, RWE Npower Renewables, Statoil and Statkraft. Potential energy yield: 9 gigawatts
• The Hornsea Zone Won by Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures, and involving Hochtief Construction. Potential energy yield: 4 gigawatts
• The Norfolk Bank Zone Won by Scottish Power Renewables and Vattenfall Vindkraft. Potential energy yield: 7.2 gigawatts
• The Hastings Zone Won by E.On Climate and Renewables UK. Potential energy yield: 0.6 gigawatts
• The Isle of Wight Zone Won by Eneco New Energy. Potential energy yield: 0.9 gigawatts
• The Bristol Channel Zone Won by RWE Npower Renewables. Potential energy yield: 1.5 gigawatts
• The Irish Sea Zone Won by Centrica Renewable Energy and involving RES Group. Potential energy yield: 4.2 gigawatts