AQW 1804/22-27


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 20/06/2022
Answered On Date: 06/07/2022
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the steps people can take to reduce domestic fossil fuel consumption; and (ii) the government support and grant schemes that exist to encourage this transition.


Answer:
ANSWER (i) the steps people can take to reduce domestic fossil fuel consumption.
Steps outlined within the NI Energy Strategy to reduce fossil fuel used by domestic energy consumers include the Department’s approach to the decarbaronisation of power, heat and transport. Policies being considered include:
a support scheme to bring forward investment in renewable electricity generation;
phasing out fossil fuel based home heating oil;
phasing out coal and certain solid fuels for home heating;
support for low carbon heat technologies including heat pumps;
trials and demonstrations on emerging heat solutions; and
a roadmap to a cleaner, greener transport system.
Decarbonising heat remains one of the biggest challenges in achieving the Energy Strategy vision as more than two thirds of homes still use oil fired central heating. My Department remains committed to supporting trials and pilots of lower carbon forms of heating to ensure they work for our homes and buildings. Further research and engagement with stakeholders and consumers will inform a Decarbonising Heat Consultation, which my Department will publish in the coming months.
Clear direction in transport has been established by the UK government’s proposed ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and all plug in hybrids from 2035. This ban will also apply in Northern Ireland. A tailored approach in Northern Ireland to support vehicle users with these changes is being developed.
Energy demand reduction through retrofitting existing homes with energy efficiency measures provides both an immediate and long-term means of saving energy and thus provides householders with a means of reducing their domestic fossil fuel consumption.
ANSWER (ii) the government support and grant schemes that exist to encourage this transition.
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) is an annual programme of energy efficiency schemes funded by all electricity consumers. The £8 million/year fund is administered by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Utility Regulator.
The majority of funding (80%) is ring fenced for vulnerable (‘priority’) customers in Northern Ireland who are typically able to access a package of energy efficiency measures including insulation, heating system replacement, low energy lighting, hot water cylinder jackets and smart controls. Customers who do not fall into the ‘priority’ group can access grants towards the cost of insulation.
The Housing Executive delivers the Northern Ireland Energy Advice Service through funding from the Department for Communities. This service provides free and impartial energy advice to all NI households and information such as energy efficiency grant signposting, renewable energy advice, energy saving tips, how to switch energy provider, debt assistance, fuel poverty advice and oil-buying club signposting for householders.
The Housing Executive’s Affordable Warmth Scheme, which is delivered in partnership with local Councils, is targeted at low-income households in the owner occupied and private rented sectors most at risk of fuel poverty. It takes a whole house approach offering grant funding for energy efficiency measures including loft and cavity wall insulation, heating systems and window replacement.
The Housing Executive’s Boiler Replacement Scheme provides a grant of up to £1,000 towards the cost of replacing old and inefficient boilers over 15 years old. It offers a biomass boiler which uses sustainably sourced wood pellets. This Scheme is open to owner-occupiers with a household income of less than £40,000 per annum.