USING BIOFUELS TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS FOR HEATING

I am pleased to launch this call for evidence on the use of Biofuels to transition away from fossil fuels for heating.

Research continues to highlight the detrimental impact our over reliance on fossil fuels has on our health and local environment. Our ongoing consumption of fossil fuels also generates problematic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and harms the planet. The Executive is committed to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels and fulfil the legislative requirements of The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

The Executive is actively responding to the climate emergency, collaborating to find solutions that reduce carbon emissions. I have been clear that decarbonisation is the cornerstone of my Economic Vision, it underpins and interlinks all of my key objectives: delivering more good jobs, addressing regional imbalance and increasing productivity.

My department is working hard to deliver the regional Energy Strategy, ‘Path to Net Zero Energy,’ published in December 2021. A primary goal of the strategy is to replace high-carbon heating sources with low and zero carbon alternatives in homes and businesses as part of the broader effort to decarbonise energy and achieve net zero by 2050.

Where other solutions such as heat pumps and district heating networks aren’t currently suitable, renewable liquid biofuels like HVO and bioLPG could play a crucial transitional role in decarbonising our heating systems which relies heavily on heating oil compared to other neighbouring regions.

HVO and bioLPG have lower carbon footprints than fossil fuels and can be used in existing boilers, making them a less disruptive alternative for households and businesses transitioning to green energy.

By working collaboratively across Government and in partnership with the private, sector, my department aims to raise consumer awareness of renewable heat alternatives like biofuels and develop innovative solutions to overcome potential challenges, paving the way for a sustainable future.

Biofuels could contribute to heating homes and commercial spaces while reducing our carbon footprint, assisting in the transition to a new era of cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally responsible heating solutions.

This Call for Evidence is seeking information, data and views from across the energy industry, public sector, business community, consumers and their representative groups. I would encourage you to have your say, your input will play a role in the policy process. Gaining a wide range of views will inform a comprehensive evidence base for the co-development of regional heating policy.

Conor Murphy MLA

Minister for the Economy