Clean energy only for Welsh homes from 2025

Ambitious new proposals which would lead to all new homes in Wales being heated and powered only from clean energy sources from 2025 have been outlined by the Welsh Government.

Unveiled by Housing Minister Julie James, the consultation proposals are part of wider Welsh Government plans to address the climate emergency it declared last year, with ministers set to bring forward legislation to adopt a 95 per cent greenhouse gas reduction target, with an ambition to reach net zero in future.

If Wales is to meet its climate targets, buildings will need to operate at close to zero emissions by 2050. New and existing homes currently account for nine per cent of Welsh greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, the Welsh Government is proposing the introduction of tough new standards on new homes, to be implemented in stages over the next five years.

The proposals include: improved energy efficiency from 2020 which will lead to a 37 per cent reduction in CO2 from new dwellings, compared with current standards, and save homeowners £180 a year on energy bills; phasing out the use of high-carbon fossil fuels and moving to cleaner ways to heat our homes though the introduction of low carbon heating and energy generation; improving energy efficiency thorough introducing measures that limit heat loss and reduce the demand for heat, such as triple glazing and higher standard fabrics for walls, roofs, floors, and windows; and improving air quality by ensuring the supply and removal of air to and from a space or spaces in a building provides good air quality.

When the new building standards are implemented in full in 2025, homes should produce 75-80 per cent less CO2 emissions than ones built to current requirements.

James said: “New and existing housing contribute about a fifth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. If we are to meet our ambitious target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent by 2050, we need to take action now to make a significant step change to the way we heat and power our homes.

“The new homes being built today will exist in 2050. Therefore, we must ensure the standards we set for these homes put us on the right path. This involves improving energy efficiency and moving to cleaner ways to heat our homes. The proposed consultation, for implementation over the next five years, makes a strong and meaningful contribution to reducing the carbon and energy impact of new homes, while recognising our ambition needs to be balanced against the desire for standards to be cost-effective, affordable and practical.

“These measures will not only help tackle climate change, but they will also help keep down household energy costs now and in the future - helping people, no matter what their background or circumstances, with the cost of living.”