REA comments on UKERC’s ‘Pathway to net zero heating in the UK’ report
Today’s policy briefing from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) on how heating might practically be decarbonised in the future, and providing detail on possible pathways over the next five to 10 years, highlights the uncertainty ahead.
However whilst backing its calls for urgent clarity on long-term heat policy from the Government and the rapid deployment of renewable heat technologies, the REA believes the UKERC’s report must also include the whole range of technologies available, including bioenergy.
Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Association of Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) said:
“Today’s UKERC report puts in sharp focus the extent of the challenge ahead of the UK in decarbonising heat. We fully support the call to action to see the rapid roll-out of ready-to-deploy renewable heat technologies, supported by a step-change in heat policy from the Government.
Disappointingly though, the report does not consider the full range of technologies available. In particular, the role of bioenergy is ignored. Biomass heat is the largest contributor to renewable heat today, while biomethane from anaerobic digestion is already helping to decarbonise the gas grid. Further strategic technologies, such as geothermal and biomass gasification, will also be needed.
The rapid decarbonisation of heat will require deployment of all available renewable solutions, building on the knowledge, skills and supply chains already in place. For heat decarbonisation to succeed, every renewable solution we have must be able to play its part.”
—ENDS—
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Notes to editors:
The full UKERC report can be viewed here
About the REA
The REA is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power and the circular economy. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation that represents renewable energy and clean technology companies operating in over fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.