Stuart Gizzi, CEO at Intatec, has released a statement regarding the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s latest report.
The CCC ‘s latest report highlights a concerning reality: the UK is lagging in its transition to sustainable home heating. Without urgent government intervention, the nation’s targets risk becoming unattainable. The report identifies several obstacles to scaling up heat pump installations, with policy uncertainty being paramount. It is imperative that the government commits to a clear and consistent strategy.
Prolonged policy fluctuations and ambiguous directives have deterred business investments, left installers uncertain about their career trajectories, and confused homeowners about their choices. The CCC rightly advocates for decisive action. Business thrives on stability; however, current recommendations may be rendered obsolete with shifting policies. The National Audit Office (NAO) has identified policy ambiguity as a significant factor hindering the adoption of heat pumps.
Without a definitive governmental roadmap, the industry’s capacity to meet its objectives remains compromised.
A critical challenge is the shortage of qualified installers. The Heat Pump Association reports that, as of 2023, approximately 4,543 full-time equivalent (FTE) heat pump engineers are active in the UK.
To achieve the government’s goal of 600,000 installations annually by 2028, this workforce must expand significantly. Projections indicate that at least 41,000 engineers will be required by 2030, escalating to over 122,000 by 2035. This necessitates training a minimum of 4,500 new installers each year.
Installers face considerable challenges in upskilling. Training programmes are costly, reduce billable hours, and come at a time when employment expenses are escalating. Many small enterprises and independent installers are hesitant to invest in new competencies amidst uncertain governmental support for heat pumps. Moreover, while increasing the number of heat pump specialists is vital, it is equally important to preserve traditional skills essential for system maintenance, balancing, and hybrid solutions.
Without clear legislative frameworks and incentives, installers remain apprehensive about retraining, and businesses are reluctant to allocate resources to training initiatives. For large-scale heat pump adoption, governmental clarity is urgently needed.
I urge policymakers to cease delays, establish a definitive strategy, and adhere to it. This will empower businesses to invest confidently and provide installers with assurance of stable career prospects.
The heating industry also bears responsibility. Installers should proactively seek upskilling opportunities and invest in apprenticeships, ensuring the coexistence of both traditional and emerging heating technologies in the UK market. At Intatec, we have developed hybrid heating system products as a practical solution, enabling homeowners to reduce emissions without the immediate need to replace existing systems. However, many manufacturers hesitate to innovate due to uncertain policy directions.
The CCC’s report serves as a critical alert. Achieving our net-zero objectives demands unwavering governmental commitment and a workforce strategy conducive to practical implementation. Without these, the UK risks continued regression.