Decarbonisation of the heating sector is widely considered to be one of the principal challenges facing the UK over the next decade. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has called on the Government to commit to developing a low carbon heat strategy within three years as fundamental decisions about the future of the UK energy system need to be taken. Whilst bioenergy, hydrogen and direct electrification all offer potential solutions for the majority of UK homes connected to centralised or district energy systems, there are around 2 million properties across Britain which are not connected to the gas grid and are therefore left with a different set of options when it comes to decarbonisation.

As announced in the Clean Growth Strategy, for homes off the gas grid, the government is intending to phase out the installation of high-carbon fossil fuel heating in new and existing buildings during the 2020s, starting with new builds. BEIS issued their ‘Call for evidence: a future framework for heat in buildings in March 2018, as their first step to developing the policy framework for the 2020s and a response is expected imminently.

There are a variety of cleaner technologies that may be suitable for off-gas grid properties (both domestic and non-domestic). These include electric heating, heat networks (with a low carbon heat source), bioliquids, biopropane, biomass and hybrids. Improving energy efficiency is also key and the government has stated that it will review the best form of support beyond 2022 to upgrade all fuel poor homes in England to EPC Band C by 2030. An Off Gas Grid Industry Contact Group has been established to share early policy proposals and ensure the off grid industry has a direct route to engage with government.

This joint APPGiE and PRASEG event will consider the key barriers to the uptake of clean heating technologies in off-gas grid homes, including: a review of the different technology choices available to off gas grid homes; with the closure of the Renewable Heat Incentive in 2021, new routes to support the update of alternative heating system; Public acceptability of alternative heating systems and costs and whether EPCs actively discriminate against rural off-gas grid properties

Chair: Peter Aldous MP

Speakers:

Paul Blacklock, Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Calor

Isaac Occhipinti, Head of External Affairs, HHIC

Emily Wilson-Gavin, External Affairs Manager, Cadent

Dr Andrew Turton, Principal Analyst, Delta EE

Dr Joanne Wade, Incoming Deputy Director, Association for Decentralised Energy

Marc Overson, Senior Product Manager. Mitsubishi Electric