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Balancing the Scales: Enhancing Supply Chain Competence while Addressing the growing need to tackle Energy Performance in Ageing Buildings

Published

15th January • 2025

Published

15th January • 2025

The construction industry faces a challenging year ahead. Inflation continues to raise costs, while ambitious housing targets risk falling short, adding pressure to an already stretched sector. Rising material, labour, and energy expenses, compounded by supply chain disruptions threaten project budgets and profitability. At the same time, talent shortages and evolving industry regulations present additional hurdles. In this complex environment, resilience and collaboration with the right partners will be essential to navigating the road ahead.

To explore these pressing issues, we’ve asked some of Wintech’s leaders for their insights. Today, we hear from Paul Savidge, Managing Director, as he shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our industry.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA), following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, has marked a transformative moment for the construction industry. This legislative shift has prompted a period of critical self-reflection and adaptation, especially in the context of Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs). With new requirements such as Gateway Submissions and Golden Thread Reporting, the industry is rising to the challenge of delivering safer, more transparent, and sustainable construction projects.

One key focus is on enhancing competence across the supply chain. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity: addressing the shortage of qualified professionals while meeting increased demands for detailed design information, housing delivery, comprehensive decision-making records, and retrofitting to meet carbon reduction goals. These developments signal a pivotal shift towards a more accountable, sustainable, and efficient construction sector.

Under Gateway 2 requirements for HRBs, sufficient design information must now be submitted to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations prior to commencing on-site construction. Wintech’s experience is that approximately 80% of the detailed design must be completed for this submission, necessitating a highly coordinated approach that integrates civil, structural, fire, building services, and façade engineering disciplines. Such a collaborative framework ensures robust compliance and enhances overall project outcomes.

Beyond new construction, the growing need to address the energy performance of ageing building stock is equally urgent. Of the UK’s 1.7 million non-domestic buildings, only 12% currently achieve an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of B. Government mandates require that all non-domestic buildings achieve an EPC rating of C by 2028 and B by 2030. This highlights the need for strategic action, as up to 1.5 million buildings risk becoming Stranded Assets without compliance in the next five years.

Improving energy performance, particularly for high-rise, complex, or larger buildings requires substantial lead times for assessment, specification, and design. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) imposes penalties for non-compliance, and proposals are underway to extend these requirements to private rented sector properties by 2030. Proactive planning and expert guidance are essential to meet these goals and ensure the future viability of building assets.

Our multidisciplinary expertise spans over 40 years, positioning us as a trusted partner in navigating these challenges. Our services include Stranded Asset assessment, Building Energy Modelling, EPC assessment, building services engineering, and façade engineering to support your building upgrade. With a focus on delivering coordinated and detailed designs, we enable clients to meet compliance requirements, enhance energy efficiency, and future-proof their assets with a single point of responsibility.

As the construction industry evolves to meet these regulatory and environmental imperatives, Wintech remains at the forefront, committed to supporting both new builds and refurbishments. Together, we can build a safer, more sustainable, and compliant built environment.

“Beyond new construction, the growing need to address the energy performance of ageing building stock is equally urgent. Of the UK’s 1.7 million non-domestic buildings, only 12% currently achieve an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of B.

Government mandates require that all non-domestic buildings achieve an EPC rating of C by 2028 and B by 2030. This highlights the need for strategic action, as up to 1.5 million buildings risk becoming stranded assets without compliance in the next five years.”

Paul Savidge

Managing Director