OFTEC NEWS
Representing the TAZCH partnership are, L-R, David Blevings, OFTEC, Nick Hayes, UKIFDA, and Kevin McPartlan, FFI.
HVO & OTHER SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE MANIFESTOS OF BOTH FIANNA FÁIL & FINE GAEL FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING BY THE ALLIANCE FOR ZERO CARBON HEATING, SAYS OFTEC IRELAND MANAGER DAVID BLEVINGS… OFTEC celebrates lobbying success
In the last publication we talked about the benefits of lobbying and, as we watch the new Irish Government finding its feet, we are reaping the rewards of hard work. Under the partnership of The Alliance for Zero carbon Heating (TAZCH), which brought together OFTEC, UKIFDA and Fuels for Ireland, we successfully lobbied and succeeded in getting a reference to HVO and other sustainable biofuels in the manifestos of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. WHY IS THAT GOOD NEWS? Well because, as of November 2024, heating in the residential sector in Ireland accounted for 10% of emissions. While the Government has a target to install 400,000 heat pumps by 2030 in existing homes, less than 20,000 have been installed since 2020. Even in the unlikely situation that the 2030
target is met, that still leaves more than 300,000 homes without a decarbonisation solution. If the Government is to meet its 2030 targets and avoid significant fines, all technologies need to have a role to play in decarbonisation, including heat pumps, retrofitting to include energy efficiency measures, and renewable fuels. The results of a recent survey reported several obstacles to heat pump adoption. 700,000 homeowners in Ireland rely on liquid fuels for their heating - with one in three over 65 years of age and 59% living in rural areas. The median cost of a deep retrofit with heat pump installation for a detached / semi-detached home is approximately €60,000. Even with grants, this means an upfront cost of around €37,000. Given that the median annual disposable income for Irish households at €42,000, these high upfront costs (and long payback periods)
David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager.
“Watch this space as we continue to work with DECC and other Government departments to ensure consumers have a choice on how to heat their home.”
30 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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