Protecting UK energy security is impossible without heat networks and energy efficiency

Heat networks, flexibility and energy efficiency technologies help reduce gas demand.  These measures improve national energy security, cut bills for consumers, reduce burdens on business and alleviate fuel poverty.  They are proven, modern and are already being deployed at scale in other European nations. As the energy price crisis continues and the war in Ukraine intensifies, the government must take immediate action to protect the UK’s energy independence by scaling-up heat networks, energy efficiency and other key decentralised energy technologies, says the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE). The trade body warns that without increased government support in these areas, it will be impossible to adequately protect consumers from continued price rises and volatility in the future.  Lily Frencham, CEO of the ADE, says:The current conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the urgency of protecting the UK’s energy supply and has further exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis that many people are facing. The wider adoption of heat networks, grid flexibility and energy efficiency technologies would see the UK require less gas, thereby improving national energy security, significantly reducing bills for consumers, creating thousands of jobs and alleviating fuel poverty. These measures are not experimental and unreliable, they are proven, cost effective and ready to deploy – we just need the political will to expand their impact and do what is already being done all over Europe, China and the US to great effect.For further information please contact:Jonny Bairstow, Head of Public Affairs at the ADE - jonny.bairstow@theade.co.uk