Scottish Government Delays Plan To Phase Out Gas Boilers
Wed 29 Nov 2023
The Scottish government has pushed back its plan to start phasing out fossil fuel boilers by at least three years.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie confirmed the change as the government published a consultation for a new heating bill.
He said the delay made the proposals "fairer and clearer".
Opposition MSPs have raised doubts about how the decarbonisation plan, estimated to cost £33bn, would be paid for.
The first of the government's new heating standards come into effect from April, with gas boilers banned from new-build homes and other buildings seeking a building warrant.
Under its original energy efficiency strategy, the government aimed to phase out the need to install new or replacement fossil fuel boilers in off-grid properties from 2025, and from homes connected to the gas mains from 2030.
A "backstop" date of 2045 was set for all homes to use zero direct emissions heating systems.
The targets formed part of the 2021 Bute House Agreement, the power-sharing deal between the Greens and the SNP.