Cornwall Leads the Way in Climate Innovation with Vegetable Oil Heating Systems

In a landmark initiative, Cornwall is setting an example in the UK’s efforts to meet climate targets by pioneering the use of eco-friendly heating systems. Despite the national goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028, last year’s figures show a stark contrast with only 70,000 installations, dwarfed by the over 100 times more gas boilers fitted. This disparity underscores the urgent need for more skilled professionals capable of installing renewable systems.

Cornwall Climate Care, a prominent environmental organisation, has highlighted that the conventional shift to electric heating may not be the sole solution, especially in regions like Cornwall. Notably, a significant portion of Cornwall’s households, approximately 40,000, do not have access to mains gas. These homes often rely on more polluting heating sources, such as oil boilers.

In a pioneering move, Mitchell and Webber, a Cornish company, has taken the lead in Europe’s largest trial of using hydro-treated vegetable oil for heating. This eco-friendly fuel, derived from certified waste cooking oil, has been successfully implemented in the village of Kehelland.
Remarkably, about one-third of the village has made this switch effortlessly, without needing to replace their existing boilers. This innovative approach has resulted in a dramatic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.

The success of this trial in Kehelland may offer a viable and sustainable heating solution, especially for areas without access to mains gas or those reliant on more polluting heating sources. This development could significantly contribute to meeting the UK’s climate targets and potentially inspire similar initiatives globally.

For those interested in learning more about this groundbreaking project and other sustainable practices, Cornwall Climate Care has announced the release of its new film, “Power to the People,” scheduled for 2024. The film promises to delve deeper into these innovative solutions and the people behind them, offering insights and inspiration for a more sustainable future.