Cadent unveils Green Print Report for a low carbon future
Cadent, the UK's largest gas distribution company, has released a Green Print - Future Heat for Everyone blueprint drawing together technical, consumer and economic considerations to create a pioneering plan to transition 22 million homes to low carbon heat by 2050.
It underlines the scale of the challenge ahead, acknowledging that a mosaic of low carbon heating solutions will be required to meet the needs of individual communities, and setting out 12 key steps that can be taken now in order to get there.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates an investment spend of £250 billion (€289 billion) to upgrade insulation and heating in homes, as well as provide the infrastructure to deliver the energy.
This task is the equivalent of retro-fitting 67,000 homes every month from now until 2050.
Approximately 80% of all homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built. The energy performance of these buildings typically remains relatively poor with 61% of the housing stock rated as EPC Band D or below.
Dr Tony Balance, chief strategy and regulation officer, said: "Reports and studies have so far largely focused the economic and technical aspects of the transition, leaving most consumers with little understanding of the impact of such changes on their current heating systems, or the options available to them. We believe this must change.
“Consumer needs will be best met when they are central to decisions, understanding their views on heating and beginning engagement early, being upfront on how much the transition will cost and ending unnecessary ‘format’ wars over which technology will win.
"The installation of all low-carbon technologies will create some disruption for many. All solutions are likely to cost more. But if we fail to get this right, we will fail to gain public support – and that means we will risk failing to make the transition away from fossil gas.
“This will require engagement from customers, industry and Government and a willingness to move beyond an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ debate between the gas and electricity industry.”
It underlines the scale of the challenge ahead, acknowledging that a mosaic of low carbon heating solutions will be required to meet the needs of individual communities, and setting out 12 key steps that can be taken now in order to get there.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates an investment spend of £250 billion (€289 billion) to upgrade insulation and heating in homes, as well as provide the infrastructure to deliver the energy.
This task is the equivalent of retro-fitting 67,000 homes every month from now until 2050.
Approximately 80% of all homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built. The energy performance of these buildings typically remains relatively poor with 61% of the housing stock rated as EPC Band D or below.
Dr Tony Balance, chief strategy and regulation officer, said: "Reports and studies have so far largely focused the economic and technical aspects of the transition, leaving most consumers with little understanding of the impact of such changes on their current heating systems, or the options available to them. We believe this must change.
“Consumer needs will be best met when they are central to decisions, understanding their views on heating and beginning engagement early, being upfront on how much the transition will cost and ending unnecessary ‘format’ wars over which technology will win.
"The installation of all low-carbon technologies will create some disruption for many. All solutions are likely to cost more. But if we fail to get this right, we will fail to gain public support – and that means we will risk failing to make the transition away from fossil gas.
“This will require engagement from customers, industry and Government and a willingness to move beyond an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ debate between the gas and electricity industry.”
