Go-slow on heat pumps could see the UK hand over 9bn for foreign gas, ECIU warns
Daily Mail A Government go-slow on pushing heat pumps could result in the UK forking out an additional 9billion on gas imports from abroad between 2024 and 2035, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit claims.
Delaying or scrapping policies supporting heat pump installations would leave the UK less energy secure, the think tank claimed, highlighting dwindling North Sea oil and gas production.
The huge drive for heat pumps, which is not without its critics, stems from the Government's legally binding target of reaching net zero by 2050.
But this week, boiler manufacturers have pushed back against plans to fine them if they fail to meet strict quotas for heat pump production and installations from next year.
Under current guidance, the sale of new boilers will be banned from 2035 and households will be pushed into installing heat pumps instead under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Government is currently offering households a grant of 5,000 to install an air source heat pump, or 6,000 for a ground source heat pump.
