OFTEC NEWS
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OFTEC OFFERS STRONG TECHNICAL SUPPORT, RESPONDING TO ISSUES DAILY AND ENGAGING WITH BUILDING CONTROL AND CONSUMERS WHEN NECESSARY, SAYS IRELAND MANAGER DAVID BLEVINGS…
Ensuring liquid fuels are part of the decarbonisation pathway
We are often asked what OFTEC is doing for technicians in Ireland as there is no competent person scheme or a requirement to notify in the Republic of Ireland. This is a good question and one we are happy to address. Ireland is a large market for liquid fuels with c.1.2m users on the island. Over 50% of the homes in NI use a liquid fuel for home heating and over 40% in ROI. OFTEC’s main objective at present is to ensure liquid fuels are part of the decarbonisation pathway, utilising sustainable biofuels such as HVO to reduce carbon emissions while enabling consumers to retain their existing appliances and preventing major upheaval and the cost of a retrofit. If someone wishes to increase their insulation and retrofit their house for an air-source heat pump or other low- L-R: David Blevings (OFTEC), Nick Hayes (UKIFDA) and Kevin McPartlan (FFI).
carbon heating device, that’s fine. We want to enable choice and, with our renewable competencies, can assist them on that journey. But, for the vast majority of homeowners, a simple move to a low- carbon liquid fuel is the easiest option, and one we believe most will take when given the choice. In ROI, we have had good success. The Renewable Heating Obligation requiring biofuels to be blended into home heating oil (like the renewable transport order for road fuels) is coming back to the Minister for approval and introduction during 2026. The starting blends are low; 1.5% and 3% were suggested for years one and two. We have argued that it must be meaningful and start at 5%, 10% and 15% over the first three years. We
continue to lobby the Minister and his officials on this issue. Unfortunately, NI is behind the curve. Many of you will have read the damning audit report on the activities of the civil servants in the Department for Economy. The report is summed up in this quote, ‘Successful implementation requires good governance and effective oversight, and this report highlights concerning shortcomings in these areas. It has been difficult to assess whether the significant expenditure incurred to date represents value for money, and there is a risk that key targets will not be met.’ In real terms, against a target to save a total of 8,000GWh in energy by 2030, they managed 90GWh, representing 1% of the target. The Irish News summed up the report succinctly, ‘In short, 134 civil servants have spent years producing
“If you are registered with OFTEC, we are here to support you and help you do your job better.”
40 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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