James has welcome new measures to encourage the use of renewable liquid fuels such as HVO to enable rural homes to decarbonise heating systems rather than using heat pumps.
As the government’s recent biomass strategy made clear such fuels will have a critical role to play in decarbonising our economy. They have the potential to play an important role in decarbonising heat, especially as not all off-grid properties will be suitable for electrification. Existing boilers can be converted for a relatively cheap price.
Following lobbying from MPs including James, the government has introduced an amendment to the Energy Bill which gives the government powers to impose obligations on heating fuel suppliers to increase the supply of renewable liquid heating fuels through a renewable liquid fuel heating obligation. This would be based on the existing renewable transport fuel obligation.
James said:
This is welcome news to help make it easier for off gas grid properties to convert existing boilers to renewable fuels like HVO. It can help cut emissions in an affordable way and benefit rural homes where heat pumps may not be suitable or cost effective.
The government will consult within the next 12 months and James will continue to lobby on this issue.
