UK fuel poverty is forecast to rise in 2023, forcing poorer households to ration heating fuel and to suffer the consequent impacts upon their health and wellbeing. Regen, Possible and Community Energy England are working together to explore the viability of combining community wind schemes with electrified heating technology to improve the affordability of energy bills, creating a replicable pathway to end reliance on gas.
Project duration: July – October 2023
Project manager: Jack Adkins
As of mid-2023, the Government is forecasting a further rise in fuel poverty to 3.53 million (1 in 7) households and a further widening of the fuel poverty gap to an average of £443 per household, an increase of 31%. One of the main recommendations from the Committee on Fuel Poverty’s (CFP) Annual Report 2023 was to deliver ‘a fair transition to net zero that does not increase fuel poverty’, by seeking to ‘deploy low carbon technologies at least cost, best payback’ as part of an Energy Affordability Strategy. In this context, onshore wind emerges as a pivotal player, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution in achieving the CFP’s recommendation whilst working towards a decarbonised future.
Regen are working with Community Energy England in supporting UK climate charity Possible to explore how low carbon electric heat technology, such as heat pumps installed in the community or heat networks, powered by locally owned wind could provide affordable, secure energy and a replicable pathway to end reliance on gas while cutting costs and supporting communities.
As part of the Wind+Heat project, Regen will:
