Microgeneration Government-Industry Contact group (MGICG)

The Government has been working in partnership with the microgeneration industry on the implementation of the Microgeneration Strategy, which was published in June 2011. The Microgeneration Government-Industry Contact Group (MGICG) has led the work which looked at quality, skills, technology development and information provision.

This work is important in seeking to tackle the non-financial barriers facing the sector, such as, the skills of installers and the performance of installed systems, which is crucial in supporting delivery of the financial incentives including Green Deal. There are clear opportunities for the microgeneration industry to improve its service to consumers, who are becoming more aware of these technologies with a keen interest on the quality and performance of systems. Consumers also want to know what to do when things go wrong and the means of redress.

The MGICG has been working to ensure the companies involved in installing microgeneration units in homes, community projects and businesses are competent to do so. For example, the MGICG has contributed to the development of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) heat pumps installation standard. There has been progress on the design element of the competence framework to specify, design, install and maintain microgeneration technologies.

The MGICG action plan comprises 35 workstreams covered by 7 taskgroups which include:

Taskgroup 1: Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
Taskgroup 2: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Taskgroup 3: Skills and knowledge
Taskgroup 4: Warranties and insurances
Taskgroup 5: Technology
Overarching Task 1: Communication
Overarching Task 2: Community delivery

Energy Efficiency Partnership for Buildings (EEPB) provides the secretariat services for the MGICG. Contact: mathias.hessler@eepb.org.uk