• DESNZ announces further details of the much-anticipated Warm Homes Plan. 

• REA welcomes increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, alongside reforms of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism and increased funding for energy efficiency. 

• The Government needs to go further to recognise the role of all low carbon heating solutions in homes ensuring the right solution for each property. 

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (the ‘REA’) welcomes this morning’s announcement outlining further details about the Government’s long awaited Warm Homes Plan. 

The Government should go further in recognising the role of all low carbon heating solutions, ensuring that homeowners are able to install the right solution for them. Biomass boilers, biofuels and decarbonising our gas grid, utilising green gases like biomethane, must all play an important role in the decarbonisation of heat.  

In addition, heat networks must also be advanced as critical infrastructure, enabling the decarbonisation of large numbers of homes in one go, and allowing us to make the most of a range of large-scale renewable heat generators, including waste heat resources and even deep geothermal technologies.  

Mark Sommerfeld, Deputy Director of Policy, REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology), said: 

“The REA welcomes the Government’s publication of further details on their much-anticipated Warm Homes Plan this morning. We are encouraged to see confirmed increases in funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, progress on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, and long-overdue planning revisions to address barriers to heat pump installations. 

However, we remain concerned that today’s announcements continue to overlook the full spectrum of low-carbon heating technologies required to effectively decarbonise UK homes. Despite biomass boilers having been instrumental in reducing emissions to date —particularly in off-gas-grid, energy-inefficient properties— bioenergy solutions are notably underrepresented in the plan. Equally, there is little focus on the role and delivery of heat networks, which are going to be critical infrastructure for decarbonising large numbers of homes and making the most of a range of large-scale renewable heat generators, including waste heat resources and even deep geothermal technologies.   

As Labour refines its Warm Homes Plan, it is vital to support all forms of low-carbon heating. This inclusive approach will ensure households can access the most suitable technologies for their needs, keeping homes both warm and affordable while advancing the UK’s decarbonisation goals.”