Heat pump manufacturer calls for action to avoid ‘energy crisis’
Danfoss has called upon the support of MPs to help the country avoid an energy crisis.
On the day that Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan gave a stern warning that the UK’s falling gas capacity will lead to greater energy imports and price rises, Danfoss welcomed Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield to find out more about renewable energy generated by heat pumps.Mr Blomfield (left of picture with Chris Dale) is the personal private secretary to Hilary Benn, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, so has a keen interest in ensuring that his party is aware of all options regarding renewable technology, as well as a desire to ensure his constituents in Sheffield are able to benefit from sustainable energy sources.
The visit included a tour of Danfoss’ facility at Parkwood Business Park in Sheffield, where Mr Blomfield saw how the building is heated by an air source heat pump and learned more about how heat pumps use natural resources such as air, ground and water to generate a more sustainable form of energy.
Mr Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, said, ‘It was great to visit Danfoss to find out more about how their heat pump technology works and the benefits it can bring to households and businesses. As a country we need to become much less reliant on fossil fuels and more households in the future should be heated by renewable sources, like heat pumps. More needs to be done to incorporate renewable energy into new and existing developments because not only this help reduce carbon emissions but it will allow more jobs in this growing sector to be created and bring energy bills down.’
Chris Dale, director of Danfoss, said, ‘We were really pleased Mr Blomfield MP was able to visit, so we could give him a greater insight into heat pump technology. With the rising costs of traditional fuels, it is essential that local MPs and the government get behind renewable energy to make it accessible to more people. Many households which are currently in fuel poverty would find their bills were greatly reduced if they had heat pumps fitted and local authorities and other social housing providers need to be aware of this.’
He added, ‘The government said it is backing renewable energy, but has delayed several times the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for consumers, which would provide a real financial incentive to switch to renewables. We are also calling upon the government to review Building Regulations and Planning requirements to increase the percentage of renewable energy for permitted new developments. Not only will this make the homes of the future more affordable to heat, it will also help the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets and reduce its reliance on gas and oil, with their escalating costs.’
Chris Dale concluded, ‘We extend an open invitation to any MPs or Ministers to visit us so they can see for themselves what a difference heat pumps could make to the majority of households. In light of Ofgem’s recent warning about gas supplies, there is a very serious need for this country to become less reliant on gas and more focused on using renewable sources.’
