Cheaper renewable fuel for NI’s off-grid home critical to net-zero plans

Making renewable liquid fuel more affordable for off-grid homes will be vital if Northern Ireland is to meet its decarbonisation targets, a Westminster committee has heard.

MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee are carrying out an inquiry into the progress Northern Ireland has made transitioning towards renewable energy and achieving its net-zero targets.

Last Wednesday the committee heard from a delegation on how a Renewable Liquid Fuel Obligation (RLHFO) which would pave the way for cheaper fuel for off-grid homes here. The legislation would be similar to a scheme in the transport sector which has been operating for almost two decades.

The committee heard evidence from David Blevings (Ireland Manager at OFTEC), Paddy Larkin (CEO at Mutual Energy), John Boyce (Wind Development Director at Renewable Energy Systems) and Mark Fitch (Corporate Development Director at Transmission Investment).

Throughout the session, the witnesses stated Northern Ireland currently does not have the grid capacity for homes to transition, en masse, from liquid heating systems to electrical heating systems.

Addressing the committee, Mr Blevings said the introduction of a RLHFO would cost the government nothing and would provide householders with an affordable way to reduce their emissions.

“Currently, 526,000 homes in Northern Ireland use liquid fuel to heat their homes,” said Mr Blevings.