Page 34 - Gi flipbook April 2019

igem news

IGEM ON CCC HOUSING REPORT

of Technical Services and Policy,
said: “We do not agree with the
recommendation that no new houses
IS IT TIME TO BAN built after 2025 should be connected
THE BOILER? the government not to rule out any
to the gas grid and we would urge
options lest it impact on the long-term
feasibility of a no regrets solution to
the decarbonisation of heat.”
The report states new homes should
be fitted with low-carbon heating
Most definitely not, says IGEM, pushing back against the proposal systems such as heat pumps, or
that no new homes be connected to gas by 2025 connected to low-carbon heat networks,
“by 2025 at the latest”. However, heat
IGEM HAS RESPONDED to a report low-carbon heating to avoid expensive networks currently provide just two
from the Committee on Climate retrofits later down the line, and that per cent of UK heat demand and heat
Change (CCC) on UK housing, which from 2025 at the latest, no new homes pumps cost far more than the average
states no new homes should be should be connected to the gas grid. domestic gas connection.
connected to the gas grid from 2025. This seems to contradict the CCC’s “Research has shown that 90 per
The Climate Change Act requires earlier report, published in November, cent of consumers can’t or won’t
near-zero greenhouse gas emissions which says the gas grid has a key role be prepared to pay for alternative
from homes by 2050, but efforts to to play in the decarbonisation of heat low-carbon heating systems,” said
reduce emissions have stalled. The through hydrogen. Mr McCluskey. “And while air source
CCC warns that the UK’s legally- That report, Hydrogen in a low carbon heat pumps are expected to become
binding climate change targets will economy, predicted that hydrogen – via cheaper in the future, they currently
not be met without the near-complete the gas grid – will play a substantial cost £6,000-£7,000,” he added.
elimination of greenhouse gas role in the country’s long-term “Britain has one of the most
emissions from UK buildings. progression to a decarbonised power, advanced and efficient gas
UK housing: Fit for the future? calls for heat and transport system. infrastructure networks in the world
all new homes to be future-proofed for Ian McCluskey, IGEM’s Head with 23.2 million customers connected

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IGEMNews_CCCHousing.indd 1 14/03/2019 14:59