UK 'will take 700 years' to reach low-carbon heating under current plans

(The Guardian, 8 Oct 2020) Energy experts say record rise in new gas boilers installed shows UK going in wrong direction.

Ministers must come forward with stringent new plans for low-carbon heating, as targets to insulate homes and generate more power from offshore wind are inadequate and sales of gas boilers showed a record rise last year, energy experts warned.

At current rates, it will take 700 years for the UK to move to low-carbon heating, and at least 19,000 homes a week must be upgraded between now and 2050. There was a record rise last year of 1.8% in the number of new gas boilers installed, showing that the UK is going in the wrong direction.

Government plans will see only about 12,500 homes in total installed with low-carbon heat pumps, according to a report from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC).

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The Guardian, 8 Oct 2020: UK 'will take 700 years' to reach low-carbon heating under current plans