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UK makes the most of its Wind0

After experiences one of the windiest ends to last year and it looking like the wet and windy weather is due to carry on throughout January, we learn that it is not all bad news.

According to RenewableUK, December 2013 was a record-breaking period for wind power in the UK, with more electricity generated from wind than in any other month. A few other records were shattered too, including the amount of electricity generated in a week and the percentage of electricity supplied by wind in a single month compared to other forms of power generation, which was higher than ever before.

The Saturday before Christmas (21st December), one of the busiest shopping days of the year, saw a record daily amount of electricity produced from wind with 132,812 MWh generated, 17% of the nation’s total electricity demand that day.

Maf Smith, Deputy Chief Executive of RenewableUK said:

“This is a towering achievement for the British wind energy industry. It provides cast-iron proof that the direction of travel away from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable sources is unstoppable.

“In December, we generated more electricity from wind for British homes and businesses than during any other month on record – and we also hit weekly and daily highs.

“This gives us a great sense of confidence for the year ahead, when we will continue to increase the amount of clean power we generate from wind, onshore and offshore.

“As we do so, we are lessening our dependence on excruciatingly expensive imports

of fossil fuels which have driven people’s fuel bills up. British wind energy is providing a better alternative – a stable, secure, cost-effective supply of home-grown power”

Jan 8th, 2014 blog, Energy

Dec 12th, 2013

Christmas is upon us!

Christmas is almost upon us and the streets are fast becoming illuminated. Not only are our towns and cities putting up their Christmas lights but Christmas lovers all over the country are tripling their electricity bills and donning the twinkles all over their homes. We have a look at some of those that stand out.

Photograph: Wildstone/Westminster City Council

Here we can see Westminster’s famous statue of Eros has been transformed into a magnificent snow globe. The Piccadilly Circus statue goes through vandalism attempts by drunken revelers every Christmas so this is a unique and glitzy way of trying to protect the city’s iconic statue.

Regent Street has opted for a display of the twelve days of Christmas with each verse of the carol being displayed in between beautiful illuminated snowy branches.

Oxford Street is adorned with a £1 million “snowstorm” design which is the result of a six-month competition run by the New West End Company, which attracted entries from around the world.

Christmas light display — Photograph: Owen Humphreys

Eric Marshalls, 73, outside his home in Bagby, North Yorkshire, UK. Eric spends up to three weeks erecting his display of Christmas lights which he has amassed over 20 years

Town hall chiefs at Manchester council have bought the cutting-edge multicoloured lighting. They hope they will wow the crowds in Albert Square, with lights also illuminating the iconic town hall. It will allow the Grade II listed building shimmer in all its glory, while providing the first glimpse of the dramatic new illuminations planned for the city all year round.

Christmas lights that adorn Alex Goodhind’s house in Melksham, Wiltshire.

And further afield a family in Australia have just got themselves a world record for the most Christmas lights on a residential property. The father, David Richards, told reporters he had started working on the display in October.

“I took a week off in [the] October school holidays and then have worked every weekend since,” Mr Richards said.

“I have always loved Christmas. Having the Christmas lights with the community coming in and sharing it is a time when you get to know people you probably should know better,” he added.

He did not rule out doing this again in the future, but said he would need a generator to get any more electricity for his home, AP news agency reported.

The family say they will open the display to visitors in the coming weeks, to raise money for a children’s charity.

ECA success in Fair Payment Charter0

Fresh hope for prompt payment for contractors with fair payment charter.

After a meeting in May between members of the ECA and the construction minister, Michael Fallon MP prompt payment was declared a high priority in the Industrial Construction Strategy (ICS) released in July, with a commitment to the creation of a fair payment charter, solely for the construction industry, by the end of the year.

This is a welcome development after an ECA survey found that Main Contractors failed to pass on prompt payment terms. In the survey 30% of respondents reported that they have had to wait 60 days or more to be paid by Main Contractors when working on private sector projects.

Steve Bratt, ECA group CEO is quoted as saying that “Tackling late payment is about the future of our industry and economic growth. Companies that could grow are being stopped by late or non-payment. If businesses can’t grow, it’s not only bad for our industry but bad for Britains economy.”

The ECA seek to engage with the Institute of Credit Management, which has been tasked with developing the Fair Payment Charter. The aim is that the intent of the Late Payment of Commercial Debt regulations, which came into force in March 2013, is effectively applied. Watch this space.

Nov 20th, 2013 blog, Within the Industry

JTL Reports Growth in Apprenticeships0

The JTL has recently reported that it has seen an upsurge in apprenticeship recruitment.

The charitable company has figures showing an 11% increase in the recruitment of electrical apprentices over the previous year.

Industry professionals are claiming this shows growing confidence in the economy, but we ask if this is the case or if in fact, in these lean times are employers simply sourcing cheaper labor with the aim of encouraging staff loyalty by bringing up these apprentices through the ranks.

JTL also added that the number of apprenticeships completed within the planned time span has grown to 95%.

Denis Hird, chief executive of JTL says ” I am delighted in the rising demand for our professional development training programmes. This indicates that the electrical sector is increasingly valuing short courses that hep ensure that both knowledge and personal accreditation is kept up to date.”

Nov 20th, 2013 blog, Within the Industry

Oct 14th, 2013

JWS Maintenance Kent Ltd Launch their website!

Hi readers,

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website and blog.

Just a quick word from us. We will be keeping our eyes on what’s going on in the industry and reporting back in our posts . Our aim is to get you thinking and get you talking about all the things that are affecting our industry. Please feel free to post comments and opinions and get in touch if you feel there is something we should be bringing to everyone’s attention.

To get in touch please email:

blog@jwskent.com