PODCAST: Energy as an Asset: E.ON’s ReIndustrial Revolution

E.ON's ReIndustrial Revolution Report, discussed on the latest Electrical Times podcast, argues that UK businesses should treat energy as an asset rather than a cost. For electricians, that is a practical change in the work available, not just a boardroom idea. A business that wants value from its energy usually needs things installed: rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV, battery storage, workplace and fleet EV charging, upgraded distribution systems and smarter controls that respond to tariffs and grid conditions. Each of these depends on competent electrical design, installation and verification. As more commercial and industrial sites invest in on-site generation and flexibility, demand will rise for electricians who understand how these technologies interact within a single installation, not just how to fit them individually. This trend also shows why core knowledge of BS 7671 matters more as installations become more complex. The Wiring Regulations now cover much of this territory. Section 712 deals with solar PV, Section 722 with EV charging, Chapter 57 (introduced in Amendment 3) with stationary secondary batteries, and Chapter 82 with prosumer installations, where a site both consumes and produces electricity. Commercial projects of this kind often involve multiple sources of supply, bidirectional power flows and DNO connection requirements under G98 or G99. Isolation, protection, earthing arrangements and fault scenarios all need careful thought. Electricians who pair an up-to-date 18th Edition qualification with specialist training in solar PV, battery storage and larger-scale EV infrastructure will be better placed to take on this work safely. Inspection and testing skills matter too, because verifying multi-source installations at handover and over their lifetime requires confidence beyond routine domestic testing. For trainees, the message is encouraging. Decarbonisation and energy resilience are pushing businesses to rethink how they use power, and that change will need a workforce with strong fundamentals and specialist skills. Building a solid base through a recognised diploma and NVQ route, then adding low-carbon technology qualifications, is a sensible way to prepare for a market where electricians increasingly help clients manage energy as a strategic resource. For qualified electricians, discussions like this one are a useful signal of where commercial demand is heading and which skills are worth developing over the next few years.