The Government’s Powering Up Britain Strategy has missed the opportunity to recognise the role of renewable liquid gases in the future off-grid energy mix, a trade body has argued.
Liquid Gas UK said although the strategy adopts positive policies, including advancing carbon capture technology and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, it does not yet acknowledge alternative low-carbon heating options to electrification in rural areas.
George Webb, CEO at Liquid Gas UK, said: “It is welcome that the Government has confirmed the Biomass Strategy and Off-Grid regulations will come later this year. As an industry, we need approval from government to support future investment in renewable liquid gases to accelerate production, with the industry already investing over £260 million (€295 million) into renewable gases despite the continuing uncertainty.”
Renewable liquid gases can be made from a variety of sources and processes, including waste, tyres, plastics and recovered CO2, and are an important alternative to the tens of thousands of homes and businesses which are not suitable for a heat pump.
"Alternative fuels, such as renewable liquid gases, offer a practical and affordable solution to decarbonise rural properties where heat pumps aren’t a viable option. Today’s strategy, whilst a positive step in the right direction overall, says nothing about the contribution we can make to net-zero,” said Webb.
“As an industry, we’re committed to being 100% renewable by 2040. We have a credible, evidenced pathway to reach this goal and whilst we welcome efforts to speed up climate change action, it cannot be done at the expense of rural communities who deserve a choice of low-carbon heating options to reach net-zero.”
Government yet to recognise role of renewable liquid gases in Powering Up Britain
