“Renewable liquid fuels can solve Labour’s growing decarbonisation challenge”
OFTEC Conference 2025 The liquid fuel heating industry is primed and ready to roll out its renewable solution for off-grid homes, amid growing recognition in the Labour government of the challenges they face in transitioning rural homes onto low carbon heating under their existing policy plans. That was the message from OFTEC’s 2025 Conference, held in Tewkesbury, which saw leaders across the heating industry gather to continue their ongoing collaboration to provide affordable and practical low carbon heating solutions for the UK’s off-grid households. OFTEC chairman Martin Cooke opened the conference, recognising another year of continued innovation and investment across the liquid fuel heating sector to prepare for a rollout of renewable liquid fuels. Martin also confirmed Neil Sawers, Commercial Technical Manager at Grant Engineering UK, as the new OFTEC chairman for the next two years. Growing interest from government The first speaker at the event was OFTEC CEO Paul Rose who provided a summary of the current off-grid landscape. He highlighted the high costs both government and consumers would face under Labour’s existing electrification plans for rural homes. Paul also shared details of OFTEC’s recent positive meetings with the government, including Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, ahead of the publication of the Warm Homes Plan expected later this year, and the growing interest in renewable liquid fuels as an alternative solution. Neil Sawers, Commercial Technical Manager at Grant Engineering UK, then shared further details of the potential role of hybrid systems, incorporating both renewable liquid fuels and heat pumps, to provide a flexible solution for harder to treat homes. Neil was followed by Wayne Timperley, Regulatory Specialist at Local Authority Building Control (LABC), who spoke about compliance with Building Regulations and the high standards set across the industry to provide reassurance for consumers. Also speaking at the conference was Jonathan Kane, CEO of Kane International. He outlined the investment and development of new analysers for installers when testing combustion appliances. In particular, the focus on enhanced sensors for identifying carbon monoxide leaks which can potentially lead to significant or even fatal health problems. Despite the advancement in AI and automated systems, Jonathan discussed how the role of an installer visiting a property would remain crucial in the years ahead. The rural challenge Concluding the conference, Malcolm Farrow, head of public affairs at OFTEC, set out the political challenges facing the government. In particular, new Labour MPs representing rural seats campaigning for their constituents to have fairer heating choices. It follows recent controversies over changes to the winter fuel payments and growing pressure on the government to ensure rural communities are not overlooked in the net zero transition. Malcolm also spoke about the Future Ready Fuel campaign which, in just one week, saw over 150 rural households download a letter to write to Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, calling for the government to formally support renewable liquid fuels. A case for optimism Following the conference, OFTEC CEO Paul Rose commented: “As we approach the one year mark of this new Labour government, the liquid fuel heating sector has every reason to be optimistic. Whilst the government remains committed to electrification, which we support for suitable homes, there is a growing recognition that alternative solutions are needed for the hardest to treat properties, which includes many oil heated homes. “We welcome the recent positive engagements with the government and the genuine interest in exploring other approaches. We were pleased to see at our conference all parts of our industry, from manufacturers, installers, training providers to fuel distributors come together with a shared ambition to both deliver net zero and provide practical and affordable solutions for off-grid households who want to adopt low carbon alternatives. “We’re making good progress and we have everything lined up, ready to rollout renewable liquid fuels. We will continue to work positively with the government on this ambition.” Images provided by OFTEC
Next steps for heat policy
What needs to change to deliver decarbonisation of domestic heating?
Greater focus on skills needed to boost heat pump deployment: OFTEC
OFTEC says the government’s assumptions about the willingness of installers to switch to heat pumps may be ‘over-optimistic’.
Industry reacts to Keir Starmer’s new climate pledge
Keir Starmer’s new climate change targets spark reaction from industry organisations.
Data shows liquid fuels cheapest for heating over past four years
Liquid fuel was the cheapest for heating between 2020-4 according to new findings.
The new government must align with industry and consumers for net zero to be successful
A call from OFTEC for equal policy support for renewable liquid fuels.
BUS scheme rules relaxed but OFTEC expresses concern
OFTEC has added its voice to those expressing concern about recent changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) announced by the Government.
OFTEC attending InstallerSHOW 2024!
OFTEC will be attending the InstallerShow again in 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham 25 – 27 June.
What next for net zero?
Malcolm Farrow discusses the latest government developments.
OFTEC issues guidance over household heating cutback concerns
New winter heating guidance issued by OFTEC in response to concern households are putting health at risk.
OFTEC urges immediate action following Climate Change report
OFTEC statement in response to the IPCC report In response to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and final warning that we need to take immediate action to tackle emissions or risk irreversible damage to the planet, Malcolm Farrow, head of public affairs at OFTEC, commented: “Time is not on our side. The stark warning from the IPCC is clear and we need to urgently rethink our approach to decarbonisation. Tackling the emissions from heating buildings is a key priority. The government is mainly focussed on accelerating the deployment of heat pumps and, through our training and registration services, OFTEC is supporting more and more technicians to install them in suitable properties. Utilise all technologies to make rapid progress “However, there are risks in focussing too much on one technology. Not every property is going to be suitable for a heat pump and their high cost is a barrier to progress. This is particularly true off-grid where disruptive and expensive investments are often needed for heat pumps to work effectively. We need to embrace other options if we are to make progress quickly. This means taking a pragmatic approach where we focus on achieving progress rapidly by utilising all available technologies. “Working with industry partners, we’ve transitioned nearly 150 oil heated properties to the renewable liquid fuel Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The demonstration project has been hugely successful and it’s clear HVO works as a solution. It reduces emissions by nearly 90% and the conversion cost for the end user is expected to be around £500. “By utilising both heat pumps and HVO and installing the most suited solution on a case-by-case basis, we can keep costs down for both the government and off gas grid households, whilst rolling out low carbon heating far more quickly. However, we need the government to recognise the important role of HVO and put in place the policy mechanisms to support this approach.” This statement was issued 23 March 2023
Heat pump training grant welcomed by oil heating trade body as key to skill diversification
OFTEC says grant scheme compliments its investment in diverse installer skills.