Rural off-grid buildings are amongst the highest users of fossil fuels for heating. Approximately 1.45m UK homes (possibly up to 1.9m) and 200,000 commercial businesses rely on oil, gas and LPG due to property age, type, access to networks, energy efficiency costs and their remote and/or challenging locations.
Biomass (wood fuel) is proven to be the most suitable, fit-for-purpose, low carbon alternative for rural off-grid areas, generating more jobs than any other renewable technology. However, closure of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in 2021 meant there was no longer an incentive for rural homeowners to keep using sustainable biomass despite the UK’s net zero and climate change ambitions, instead possibly converting back to fossil fuel use. The industry faced a significant risk of collapse and loss of jobs if immediate action was not taken.
Fast forward, and recent political instability within Government (as well as other external factors outside of the industry’s control) has called for highly proactive activities to navigate a rapidly changing wood pellet market and global energy crisis, growing climate change concerns and a sharp increase in the cost of living.
