AQW 7009/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 20/02/2024
Answered On Date: 01/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy what work is being undertaken to create a strategy to move away from the dependence of fossil fuels for home heating.

Answer:

The Executive’s Energy Strategy provides the overall strategic context for energy decarbonisation, including the objective to move away from fossil fuels for home heating. An update to progress on the strategy is produced annually and outlines the key strategic priorities and energy policy initiatives which are being developed and delivered with partners across government.

My officials are currently progressing policy development on a number of strands relating to residential heating includng a public consultation on a low carbon heat support scheme, a call for Evidence on Biomethane, and a call for evidence on the use of liquid biofuels which are all key components to move households away from fossil fuels. We are also progressing geothermal demonstrator projects at the Stormont Estate and Greenmount Campus, to explore our geothermal potential in supporting heat decarbonisation.

The pathway to decarbonise heat is complex and will include a range of low carbon technologies. Through this evdience based policy development, all options will be fully considered to ensure that they do not lead to adverse impacts on human health or the environment. Our focus to 2030 will be ensuring that low-regret pathways remain open while focusing on removing the most carbon intensive sources of heating.