Richard Warren, director of public affairs at The Kensa Group, has commented on the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) progress report echoing the long-standing concerns of the heat pump supply chain.
Richard said: “Despite the wholly negative conclusions from the CCC’s report regarding progress on heat pumps, the report is to be welcomed in sending a clear message to the government that it is off track and needs to up its game.
“The report is abundantly clear that the electrification of heat is key to decarbonising buildings, and we have no time to lose in introducing key policies to enable this transition.
“Recent studies, such as that published by Element Energy demonstrate the benefits of ground source heat pumps, including lower household bills and energy consumption, reduced strain on the electricity grid, and billions saved in energy infrastructure upgrades and investment.
“However, as a British manufacturer committed to supporting the government’s climate targets, developing a domestic supply chain and championing green growth, the policy environment remains extremely challenging for us.
“If the UK is to experience the full benefits of ground source energy, it is vital the government starts to see this technology as a long-term infrastructure investment, a 21st-century replacement for the gas grid, and develops policy accordingly.
“What we need, as the report clearly states, is for the government to shift from ambition to delivery of net zero policies. Kensa will be looking to engage with the appropriate individuals at the CCC to ensure an understanding of the challenges for the ground source heat pump sector and what policies are required to unlock growth.”