NET ZERO
ELECTRICAL SAFETY FIRST LAUNCHES NEW REPORT ‘FUTURE HOMES IN NORTHERN IRELAND’ AND CONSIDERS THE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES WE MUST MAKE ON THE
A report released in June, ‘Future Homes in Northern Ireland’ by campaigning charity, Electrical Safety First, considers how the move to net zero will bring fundamental changes to our homes and energy use, and offers pragmatic expert recommendations to address the risk this entails. To reach net zero by 2050, Northern Ireland must prioritise electrifying its carbon-intensive sectors, specifically heating and transport. This requires a range of new technologies, creating a web of interconnected challenges and hazards, aggravated by having some of the oldest housing stock in Europe. However, in our increasingly electric world, electrical safety is still not given the attention it deserves. In the Future Homes report, the charity uncovers the key risks that accompany our ever-expanding use of electricity and emerging home technologies. It presents the potential dangers faced by individuals and families, highlighting the critical importance of a smooth and safe transition to net zero. At the launch of the report, hosted by Louise Cullen, from BBC NI, stakeholders from government, industry and community organisations heard how it takes an integrated approach to electrical safety. The topics ranged from growing the skills required to create the future home and the range of low- JOURNEY TO NET ZERO… The future is now
L-R: Louise Cullen, BBC NI Environment and Agriculture Correspondent; Peter McClenaghan, Director Infrastructure and Sustainability, NI Consumer Council; Debbie Caldwell, Belfast City Council Climate Commissioner, Ken Webb, Principal, South Eastern Regional College; Lesley Rudd, CEO, Electrical Safety First, and Seamus Leheny, CEO Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations.
carbon options available to consumers, to the demand for an effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The vital importance of consumer safety is highlighted throughout the report, including the need to use competent and skilled electricians and the risks of DIY retrofitting. A particular focus of the report discusses how prepared Northern Ireland’s housing stock is for our low-carbon transition and how insufficient data hampers our understanding of this important issue. Over 60% of Northern Ireland’s homes are older properties with outdated electrical installations, posing safety risks. Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical
Safety First, commented, “Because electricity is such an integral part of our lives, it can be easy to forget its inherent dangers, but electrical safety can be a life-or-death issue. “We produced this report because key strategic documents, such as the draft Housing Supply Strategy, often overlook electrical safety. Yet today, electricity causes almost 60% of domestic fires in Northern Ireland, and the future home will see an ever-increasing reliance on it as an energy source. “Our report presents an integrated, joined-up, approach to electrical safety, offering recommendations that are essential to safeguarding lives while paving the way to a sustainable, low- carbon future. We look forward to working with the next Assembly and Executive to deliver on these vital recommendations, throughout our critical journey to net zero.” The full report is available at https:// www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/ media/3z3nfhlo/future-homes-in- northern-ireland.pdf For more information, please contact Karter Kane, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor. T: +44 (0)78 1205 9889 E: karter.kane@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
L-R: Debbie Caldwell, Belfast City Council Climate Commissioner; Seamus Leheny, CEO Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations; Peter McClenaghan, Director Infrastructure & Sustainability, NI Consumer Council; Ken Webb, Principal, South Eastern Regional College and Lesley Rudd, CEO, Electrical Safety First, at panel discussion.
16 | IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE
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