In fact, I would go as far as to say it is one of the best demonstrations anywhere in the energy sector of what genuine partnership between industry and customers looks like.
A couple of years ago, I sat around a ministerial table and made the point that our industry is unique. We are the last energy sector that truly knows its customers – we see them and meet them several times a year, face to face, delivering fuel, servicing their boilers and often checking that they are well and safe.
Little did I know then that our own customers would soon become part of the narrative by opening their homes, their school and their church to host MPs, parliamentary committees and government officials. They stood outside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero…not protesting, not as climate change deniers, but simply asking for a solution that works for them.
The Kehelland villagers expressed this perfectly in their own submission to the recent government consultation: “We are proud to have worked with the industry and local suppliers on this project and made it a success. Many other similar community-based schemes have failed because of poor communication, but, more importantly, because the solution being put forward did not meet the needs of those in the community.”
On behalf of the industry, let me say: we are proud to have worked with you too, and thank you for inspiring so many of our customers to respond to the government consultation and support the industry proposal for a renewable fuel solution.
It seems the government agrees with the Kehellanders.
The Labour Party Manifesto made clear, “Nobody will be forced to rip out their boiler as a result of our plans.” And in the recent consultation “the government wishes to make clear we do not propose that any household or business installs a low carbon option which is not suitable for their property.” and “The government recognises that renewable liquid heating fuels could, in future, prove a convenient route to decarbonising some off-gas grid properties where heat pumps, or other electric heating options may not be the best solution.”
Government must take the public with them
Importantly, let us not forget that the Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation, legislated for in 2023, secured cross-party support, with many sitting MPs still present and speaking on energy matters in the new parliament.
Across Europe, we have seen public trust erode when net zero policies are imposed without listening. The lesson is simple: governments must take the public with them. Again, the current UK Government seems to agree. Katie White, Minister for Climate, recently said, “As we have always said, our clean energy mission will only succeed if we take people with us.”
We have also seen debates on a variety of topics, including, for example, social media and young people, in which the government conducted a rapid consultation on the options. In presenting his conclusions shortly after the consultation closed, Keir Starmer commented on the need for consultations: “Some people are dismissive of processes like this, but policy making that doesn’t listen very carefully to the voices of those it seeks to serve that is not how this government carries out its business.”
And Andy Burnham, campaigning in Makerfield, captured a sentiment many communities share: “Westminster has refused to listen to towns like ours for decades. Successive governments turn a deaf ear to the things that matter most to us.”
So, on this at least, we are all in agreement. We are not ripping out boilers. We are not imposing solutions that don’t work or that people don’t want. We agree that listening matters and that consultations are essential to good policy. And we agree that renewable liquid fuels have a role to play.
It is therefore time to deliver for Kehelland: the 16,000 customers, employees, stakeholders and other interested parties who responded to the recent consultation, and to deliver on the promises and statements made.
As summer is now upon us, I wish you all a pleasant, warm and dry period and for those football teams still in the mix, Chons da!
Image credit: Community of Kehelland, UKIFDA
