Humza Yousaf, leader of the SNP, wants to deploy heat pumps across Scotland Photo: Jane Barlow/Pennsylvania
Rural homeowners in Scotland face challenges «exorbitant» bills and interruptions in heating due to Humza Yusaf's push to force them to install heat pumps, warned a cross-party MSP group led by an SNP noble.
Fergus Ewing, a former SNP government member cabinet secretary, organized a letter signed by Labor and Conservative MPs warning ministers of the impact of the plans on remote properties in areas like the Highlands.
The letter talked about installing heat pumps or other types of electric heating. in many homes that are not connected to the gas network, will either be «prohibitively» expensive or completely impossible.
Families in some of Scotland's coldest areas are also having to live without heating in the event of a power outage due to extreme weather, they say.
A group of four MSPs who represent some of Scotland's most rural areas. communities have demanded an «urgent review» of the government's controversial SNP-Green plan to decarbonize residential heating.
Patrick Harvey, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings of the Green Party, said the Scottish government wants «all homes to have new energy efficiency standards by 2033 at the latest».
He is also introducing controversial reforms to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating system ), which could mean homeowners will be banned from selling their property from 2025 unless they install heat pumps.
How heat pumps work
But MSP said they recently conducted a survey in which 80% of off-grid property owners warned that the cost of installing a heat pump would be prohibitive.
The Scottish Government has estimated the cost of converting all homes to «zero emissions» at 33 billion pounds. However, he provided an initial support package of just £1.8bn compared to the current Parliament.
A strategy published by ministers in 2021 recognizes that the average cost of installing a heat pump is around £10,000, four times the cost of a new fossil fuel boiler of £2,500.
However, the document acknowledges that this can lead to higher energy bills: the systems they replace.”
Mr Ewing, former Rural Economy Minister and SNP MSP spokesman for Inverness and Nairn, said: “In seeking to reform the EPC and forcing rural homeowners to rely only on electrified heating from 2025, the Scottish Government is using a decarbonization approach that is a major risk for those who live in remote areas.
“Not only does this threaten to burden off-grid homeowners with huge costs, it also leaves them vulnerable to power outages due to extreme weather and ignores the realities of inefficient power grids and infrastructure in rural areas. localities and islands.”
Would you install a heat pump in your home? PollDouglas Lumsden, Scottish Conservative Shadow Energy Minister and another signatory of the letter, said: «These current proposals are deeply unfair to Scotland's rural communities.
«If we want to achieve zero emissions, we must do it in a way that is fair, affordable and gives choice to Scottish homeowners. Given the time frame, ministers should urgently consider these proposals.”
Rhoda Grant, Scottish Labor MP for the Highlands and Islands, said: «The Scottish Government's current approach appears to be penalizing those who live without a gas network, despite their existing shortcomings.»
Fourth Member of Parliament, the letter was signed by Tory Liam Kerr, who, like Mr Lumsden, represents North East Scotland.
The letter also warned that inefficiencies in rural electricity networks and infrastructure could lead to «unnecessary» disruptions . throughout the deployment of heat pumps.
Instead, he urged Mr. Harvey to adopt a «mixed technology approach» that could include the use of renewable liquid gases.
The letter also comes after how a major heat pump supplier warned that parts of Scotland were too cold for the heating system to run.
Lord Haughey, a business magnate, said the heating system was not suitable for the Scottish climate as its performance was declining. noticeable in freezing weather.
Scottish government contacted for comment.
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