The strategy was published with supporting information revealing that few changes have been made since the original consultation, held in 2023.
Claiming to be based on the Climate Change Committee’s guidance, the strategy identifies heat pumps as the primary mechanism for domestic heat decarbonisation in Wales and it now contains a target to install 580,000 heat pumps by 2035 – 43% of all Welsh homes.
OFTEC and UKIFDA’s response has been completely ignored, as has the challenge of decarbonising the many rural off-grid buildings in Wales.
Disappointingly, the supporting material references misleading and already discredited references as justification for ignoring renewable liquid fuels.
Climate Change Committee annual report criticises current heat policy
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has published its annual progress report to Parliament. The Committee assessed that ‘no progress’ had been made on 12 of last year’s priority recommendations and was particularly critical of what it sees as backward steps in our industry sector.
These include the decisions to exempt 20% of households from the 2035 phase- out of new boilers, the delay in the phase-out of new oil boilers, the delay in the start of the clean heat market mechanism and the decision to not proceed with planned energy efficiency requirements for landlords.
The CCC is likely to have greater influence with the new Labour Government than the previous Conservative administration, so OFTEC will monitor policy developments closely, and promote the role of renewable liquid fuels in heating.
Image credit: iStock/BrianAJackson
