Government should rethink approach to heat decarbonisation

Policy Exchange has said that the Government must create a new strategy to decarbonise the heat sector that is more cost effective that the current plans. A report issued by the think tank has said that the plan to roll out electric heat pumps in 80% of homes represents a “colossal waste of money”. Overall the project could cost £300 billion.

Emissions in the sector could instead be lowered through a mix of energy efficiency improvements and the installation of more efficient gas appliances. In addition they recommend a heat network but more modest use of heat pumps.

The final recommendation of the Policy Exchange was to scrap the EU’s renewable heat target for 2020.