It’s been a busy few months for the Future Ready Fuel campaign, so we wanted to share a roundup of our latest news. There is lots to be positive about as we continue to champion a fair and practical transition to renewable liquid heating fuels for rural communities.
Firstly, a quick recap. As you may remember, the government recently published its Alternative Clean Heating consultation and we were absolutely blown away by your response. As a result of your incredible support, we helped secure nearly 16,000 responses in favour of renewable liquid fuels. A huge thank you once again to everyone who took the time to submit their views.
We already know from our conversations with policymakers that this message was heard loud and clear in government. While we do not expect an immediate formal response due to the wider policy challenges currently being faced, there is no doubt that your support has had a massive impact in shaping the future of this discussion. On that note, here are five important updates to be aware of.
1. DESNZ sees renewable liquid fuels in action
In April, we were pleased to welcome officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to the village of Kehelland in Cornwall. This village is unique as dozens of homes, the church, school and village hall all switched to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as part of an ongoing demonstration project.
After months of campaigning by the fuel distributor Mitchell & Webber, which is leading the project in the village, it was very positive to have DESNZ officials see how the fuel works and speak with customers about their experience. It followed a recent trip by the residents themselves up to Westminster to personally hand in their consultation response.
DESNZ met with residents and saw how a variety of different properties had adopted HVO, including one boiler nearly 30 years old running perfectly on the fuel. The day ended with a productive roundtable discussion in the village chapel, where local MPs and industry leaders highlighted the urgent need to make this fuel available more widely. Seeing the success of Kehelland first-hand provides the government with the evidence needed to support a wider rollout.
Just a few weeks before this, the Daily Express also visited Kehelland to hear from residents about the unique project they were involved in. As a result, the Future Ready Fuel campaign and renewable liquid fuels secured national recognition.
2. Finding stability in energy costs
We know that it’s a very difficult time for many households as energy and living costs have risen following the conflict in the Middle East. Fuel distributors across the country have been working hard to support their customers.
We can, however, look forward positively as we’ve seen that HVO has not experienced the same level of price volatility as kerosene. One reason for this is that HVO is not sourced from the Middle East. That’s why this solution, as well as driving down carbon emissions, should provide more stability in the future in an unstable world.
3. A changing political landscape
The recent local elections and subsequent Labour leadership jostling are a reminder that the views of people up and down the country matter. It is clear that many people across the country, particularly in rural areas, feel their concerns have been overlooked for too long. This creates a real opportunity for our campaign as politicians are being forced back into listening mode. With over 95% of rural households wanting the option to switch to renewable liquid fuels, and the recent consultation campaign, it is becoming increasingly hard for the government to ignore these calls.
Alongside this, there is no appetite from households to spend tens of thousands of pounds switching to alternative low carbon heating solutions. That’s why we believe renewable liquid fuels present an ideal solution as they will allow households to play their part in reducing emissions, without any upfront cost when they adopt a drop-in blended fuel.
4. Getting your heating system ready
As we head into the warmer months, the last thing many of us want to think about is our heating. However, it is the perfect time to carry out a few simple checks to get yourself future ready (hence the name!). Renewable liquid fuels work in your existing oil tank, but it’s important you continue to undertake regular maintenance.
The best way to keep your fuel secure is to install automatic motion-sensor lighting. It is a simple, effective deterrent that doesn’t cost much to set up. It is also a good habit to check your tank’s condition and monitor your fuel levels regularly so you always know exactly where you stand. The advice from fuel distributors is to continue to order fuel as normal when you are running low.
5. Making an informed decision
Choosing a new heating system is a big decision, and it’s important to have all the facts. Under current Building Regulations in England, you cannot install a heating appliance that potentially produces more CO2 than the one it replaces. This means that while you can try an electric car and switch back to petrol or diesel if it doesn’t suit your needs, installing a heat pump is a one-way ticket. Once a heat pump is put in, you do not have the option to return to a liquid fuel boiler.
For many rural homeowners, this makes the decision much more significant. Fundamentally, we believe in choice. If households want to switch to a heat pump, then they should be able to. However, for those who can’t afford the upfront cost, or it isn’t practical for their situation, it’s a point of fairness to give them an alternative in renewable liquid fuels.
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