CLEAN GROWTH STRATEGY UPDATE

When it comes to government policy, the devil is in the detail. This is particularly true of heat policy where concerns over a lack of clarity have led OFTEC and Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) to write to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) minister, Claire Perry, demanding answers to some key questions.

As reported in the last issue of Oil Installer, the two trade associations (OFTEC and FPS) have been meeting BEIS officials regularly to plan how to decarbonise the emissions from oil heating. Three meetings have taken place so far and some progress has been made. However, without answers to some key issues, the trade associations have concluded that it will be difficult for the oil heating industry to bring effective solutions to the table. Worse still, the potential also exists for oil’s competitors to exploit the confusion in ways that are bad for consumers and that could even slow down progress with decarbonisation.

OFTEC has commissioned a detailed study of biofuels and hopes to publish the outcomes of this research early in the New Year. More clarity on the potential of low carbon liquid fuels will open the way for more constructive talks with BEIS on how soon these fuels could be introduced to the market and what kind of support may be needed. Acceptance of their potential by BEIS would also provide a basis for industry to develop the essential long-term investment plans, carry out detailed trials and provide the kind of certainty that everyone needs – whether fuel suppliers, manufacturers, installers, servicing businesses or equipment owners.

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