Report on first UK renewable district heating from rivers plus latest Buildingtalk newsletter

First UK renewable district heat from rivers plus a nation of self-builders

Buildingtalk was invited to the opening of the first UK community heating scheme powered by energy sourced from river water which is being built by the Thames at Kingston. Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, switched on the Mitsubishi Electric river-based renewable heat pump system that will save 500 tonnes of CO2 and reduce heating bills too. Follow the link below for more details.

This is quite a moment because the Kingston Heights project demonstrates how every UK town and city built near water (river, lake, sea or even canal) can now provide renewable heat for homes and industry. It also comes at a time when we already have an 80% growth in build projects in 5 major cities outside London – all with water nearby!

Great news that the first of the next generation UK nuclear power plants, at Hinkley Point, gets the gets go-ahead, with 57% of the build (£12bn) to be spent in UK. Even the GMB Union welcomed the EDF investment, especially the commitment to ‘up-skilling’ and apprenticeships.

Other news from our dear politicians: Eric Pickles wants to turn us into a ‘nation of self-builders’ via subsidies; and Labour leader Ed Miliband was challenged about the Green Deal on a visit to Pilkington Glass.

ABC&D magazine is celebrating 25 years of providing a good read for ‘Architects, Builders, Contractors & Developers’. The latest issue, with great feature articles and product news, is available online via this link – or why not subscribe to have a free regular copy delivered right to your door.

Finally, take a look at the amazing sliding house at Margate, constructed using Sterling OSB. Is it art or demolition? Please spray your answers on a wall near you.

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First UK community heating scheme powered by energy sourced from river water

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UK nuclear power plant gets go-ahead, 57% build (£12bn) to be spent in UK

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