Mike Foster, chief executive of EUA.
This was following his attendance at Gas 2019 - organised by the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA). Gas 2019 took a new focus this year on ensuring the consumer is central to heat decarbonisation. Taking centre stage were; Richard Leyland, deputy director - Heat Programme, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and James Kerr, senior policy advisor, Citizens Advice.
Mike Foster, chief executive of EUA said: “Gas 2019 is an annual event that aims to bring the industry together and deliver topical debate on the issues faced. This year EUA focused the event on the consumer. With around 15 per cent of UK CO2 emissions coming from how people use heat and hot water at home, it is clear that we must put the consumer at the heart of heat decarbonisation.
“EUA were delighted to welcome Dr Lipson alongside speakers from BEIS, and Citizens Advice to Gas 2019. A fantastic line up that recognises just how significant the decarbonisation of energy is to the wider climate goals, and how the gas industry is recognised as being at the forefront, not afraid to make bold changes. Dr Lipson’s comments following the event were welcome recognition of this.
“Industry must consider the consumer journey to decarbonisation. In order to do this, it is imperative that we ask questions like, how can our energy market bring consumers along with it as we head towards our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050? How will the vulnerable and less connected consumers be protected and helped through the transition? And how should the gas industry respond to increasingly environmentally conscious and self-sufficient consumers?
“These questions are key to the future energy landscape. We must explore a range of options and keep them open.
“A key reoccurring theme of the day was the importance of clean green gases such as hydrogen which featured heavily in all of the presentations with BEIS providing an overview of the current projects investigating the feasibility of hydrogen as a heating fuel which include h21, HyDeploy and Hy4Heat, all of which are addressing practical considerations for a hydrogen system.”
“EUA look forward to delivering Gas 2020. I am sure the level and pace of change between now and then will be significant.”