The Building Podcast
Mark Wakeford is Chairman of the National Federation of Builders, vice-chair at Constructing Excellence Midlands and a Governor at Construction College, Moulton College. He has run a large regional building contractor and now chairs Evoenergy, one of the UK's foremost renewable companies, bringing low carbon solutions to corporate Britain.
Mark talks to leading experts from across the construction sector to discuss issues facing the built environment. He explores various challenges with his guests, who offer solutions, information and ideas that listeners can apply to their own situations, be it in a company, on a project or studying at college.
The Building Podcast aims to provide CPD on the go. Supporting the sector with easily digestible ideas to support a rapidly changing industry!
The Building Podcast
Mark talks to Chris Hewett
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The Solar Taskforce, an industry / Government collaboration has been in existence since May 2023, working with both Governments to see how solar generation can be rapidly deployed to support the de-carbonisation of the electrical grid and to support the UK’s statutory net-zero target for 2050. I have been privileged to serve on this taskforce with many of the industry’s big hitters as we have identified blockers and solutions, with our partners at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and co-authored the Solar Road Map, which was recently published.
These podcast are with senior leaders who were on the Taskforce, from both industry and Government and other movers and shakers who influence the sector. The podcasts aim to inform and explain various elements of the Solar Road Map to support its understanding and to provide context to its recommendations.
Chris Hewett is the CEO of the UK’s trade federation, Solar Energy UK, representing over 400 individual companies from across the value chain in solar and battery deployment. He was also the joint chair of the Solar Taskforce with the Secretary of State. Together, their stewardship ensured the success of the Taskforce and the application of the resulting Solar Road Map. Chris is hugely knowledgeable about the industry and understands the consequences of activities in one area happening elsewhere. He also brings the international dimension to the Road Map, demonstrating where the UK’s ambition is in relation to partners within mainland Europe.
As you might expect, Chris is very optimistic about the industry’s ability to deliver the 57GW of solar generation capacity by 2030, stating that the solar sector generally comfortably outperforms all the political targets that are levied on it. He confirms that the financial arguments are fully in favour of deploying renewables, re-iterating that that it is now cheaper to install renewables rather than fossil fuel generators. This coupled with the decarbonising agenda being followed by many businesses means that the target will be achieved and that the whole country can be proud of the achievement and the benefits of a just transition to carbon free energy generation.
Website: https://solarenergyuk.org/