The UK could cut its consumption of gas by a quarter by 2030. The UK Government should put this target at the heart of their energy security strategy.
To achieve it, the Government should implement a Home Energy Security Plan, to ramp up the energy efficiency of the UK housing stock.
The analysis shows that cutting UK gas demand by a quarter would help the EU to displace 10% of its dependency on Russian gas. If the EU also implemented a bold programme to make European buildings more energy efficient this decade, then the UK cut in gas demand could help displace up to a third of their dependency on Russian gas.
The decarbonisation of UK buildings can also have rapid impacts. It could secure an 80% cut in the amount of gas we import from Russia this year. Coupled with advancing solar and onshore wind projects already in the planning pipeline, the UK could cut the amount of gas we get from Russia by 100% within a year.
Recommendations for the Energy Security Plan
Set a target to reduce UK gas demand by 25% by 2030.
Set out and implement a plan to reduce gas dependency in commercial, public and industrial sectors, and boost home grown renewables.
Implement a Home Energy Security Plan to accelerate investment in reducing our homes’ gas dependency, prioritising fuel poor households, by:
- Increasing support for energy efficiency through existing schemes (Home Upgrade Scheme, Local Authority Delivery Scheme, Public Sector and Social Housing Decarbonisation Funds).
- Removing legacy policy costs from power bills and paying for them via the Exchequer.
- Accelerating the take-up of the most efficient appliances.
- Launching a major new public information campaign.
- Expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to speed up the electrification of heat.
- Introducing a comprehensive training offer to fill skills gaps.
- Incentivising energy efficiency by amending the stamp duty system.
- Accelerating the phase-out of gas boilers in new build homes
