Calls for investment in renewable energy stemming from a recent report by energy think-tank, the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU), have been met with disappointment by ECA director David Pollock.
While realising the need to strive to find renewable energy sources, Pollock stresses the importance of being energy efficient first. For example, if everyone in London were to fit one energy efficient light bulb then sufficient energy would be saved to meet the needs of 6649 households.

Pollock calls for both homeowners and businesses to carry out a comprehensive energy audit and implement basic energy efficiency measures to benefit from energy savings of 20-50%.

He believes ECA companies are in a prime position to educate and inform about energy-saving measures such as energy efficient lighting and controls and improved heating and air conditioning systems.

The PIU report did in fact also underline the need to prioritise energy efficiency, stating that households should aim to achieve energy savings of 20% by 2010 and a further 20% by 2020. However, the romance and allure of renewable energy has overshadowed this essential aim.

Pollock believes that it is down to the ECA and its members to push the energy efficiency message. However, the problem faced, says Pollock, is that it is simply not sexy compared to a forest of gleaming white windmills turning in the afternoon breeze.