Page 7 - Gi February 2022

industry & government news

BEIS ALLOCATES MORE FUNDING FOR HEAT NETWORKS

THE UK GOVERNMENT recently energy source at its Liverpool Waters
appointed Ofgem as the nation’s heat network. Peel Energy is hoping to
network regulator and Citizens Advice expand its network in phases to
as the consumer advocacy body for heat ultimately reach up to 9,000 homes.
networks. It simultaneously unveiled The Worthing-based scheme,
a £19.1 million investment round overseen by the borough council, is
from its £320 million Heat Networks somewhat smaller and will serve 27
Investment Project (HNIP). buildings in the first instance. The plan
The investment will support the is to create a centralised heat pump that OFGEM WAS RECENTLY MADE THE
UK’S HEAT NETWORK REGULATOR
installation of five heat networks – two will capture waste heat from the sewer
in Bristol and one each in Liverpool, for use in buildings. fund will have stricter carbon-related
London and Worthing. “Almost one-third of all UK carbon requirements for supporting projects.
The projects in Bristol are being emissions come from heating our According to the Climate Change
overseen by Bristol City Council and homes and addressing this is a vital Committee (CCC), heat networks
will serve the Temple and Bedminster part of tackling pollution, driving currently provide just two per cent of
districts respectively. Heat will be down bills and reducing our reliance the UK’s heat demand. In a net zero UK
derived from ground-source and on costly fossil fuels,” said Climate in 2050, this proportion will need to be
water-source heat pumps, and from a Change Minister Lord Callanan. around 20 per cent.
waste heat recovery network at Bristol “[This] announcement builds on our The government’s Heat and Buildings
University. Collectively, the two schemes commitments made in the Heat and Strategy, published in October 2021,
should serve around 6,000 homes. Buildings Strategy to regulate the UK’s notably contains a commitment to
In London, the Royal Borough heat networks, protect consumers, and bring heat pump costs – both upfront
of Kensington and Chelsea will be create opportunities for green jobs and and operational – in line with gas
supported to set up a network served investment across the country.” boilers by 2030.
by air-source heat pumps that will The HNIP is due to close in the This should pave the way for
provide heat to 826 homes and several coming months and the UK government the elimination of gas boilers in
commercial and public units in the has confirmed that it is still developing most properties by 2035, reports
Notting Dale area. the successor scheme, which will sustainability website edie. At present,
In Liverpool, Peel Energy will be be called the Green Heat Network homes account for around one-fifth of
supported to transition to a water- Fund and is due to launch in April. A the UK’s annual national emissions,
source heat pump solution, from transition scheme opened last summer, largely because of fossil-fuelled heating
energy-from-waste, for the primary with ministers confirming that the new and energy inefficiency.

CARBON CAPTURE AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN a low carbon economy presents

SCOTLAND TO BE FOCUS OF WESTMINSTER INQUIRY opportunities for all corners of the UK,
particularly Scotland.
“As we identified in our recent report
THE PART back hydrogen production as part on renewable energy in Scotland, there
SCOTLAND of its plans to create a low carbon are endless opportunities with wind
can play in the economy and achieve net zero by and tidal energy.
UK’s drive to 2050, reports The Scotsman. “We are going to look at low carbon
reach neutral Ambitions laid down in its Net hydrogen production, and this will
greenhouse Zero Strategy and Hydrogen Strategy mean considering the use of carbon
gas emissions include a target to create five capture to lock away carbon emissions.
and develop gigawatts of low carbon hydrogen “In this inquiry we will be considering
a new sector capacity in Scotland by 2030, making the role Scotland can play in a hydrogen
based on the most of the country’s renewable economy and how the UK government
hydrogen is energy strengths and potential for can support a just transition for
PETE WISHART the focus of a carbon capture. Scotland’s oil and gas sector.”
new inquiry by Westminster’s Scottish The North Sea Transition Deal also Andrew Brown, Head of Hydrogen
Affairs Committee. outlined the importance of the gas, for Storegga, lead developer for
The future of green and blue stating the opportunities for green the Acorn carbon capture project,
hydrogen production and carbon hydrogen production. has welcomed the inquiry. But
capture in Scotland will be considered How to ensure a ‘just transition’ for the environmental campaigners have
as part of the investigation, as well oil and gas industry will also be explored, warned leaders against pinning
as identifying what further support as well as ensuring the skills are in place hopes on carbon capture technology
would be required to incorporate the for a hydrogen-ready workforce. to reduce emissions, claiming the
gas into the UK energy mix. Scottish Affairs Committee technology will encourage extraction
The inquiry comes after the UK Chair Pete Wishart said: “The net of oil and gas to continue and hamper
government set out intentions to zero ambition and moves towards efforts to combat climate change.

07

27/01/2022 11:48
News.indd 2
News.indd 2 27/01/2022 11:48