Recommendation 32

Alongside industry, some written submissions highlighted that households were unclear over the role of hydrogen. Octopus Energy told us that there was “widespread 53 Qq 92, 93 54 Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Correspondence – Hydrogen Heating Town pilot: letter to Gas Distribution Networks – update, 9 May 2024. 55 Qq 86–88 56 Qq 85, 94; C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 57 DHH0036, Written evidence submitted by Hydrogen UK, 29 April 2024 58 Qq 92, 94 59 DHH0036 60 DHH0012, Written evidence submitted by E3G, 29 April 2024 61 DHH0014 62 DHH0046 Decarbonising home heating 19 customer confusion and investments in electrification are being held back”.63 Centrica also reported that customers were “unwilling” to make their own decisions on whether to install particular low-carbon heating measures while there is uncertainty over which options they could take in the future.64 The Chartered Institute for Housing added that some social housing providers are employing a “wait and see” approach, awaiting the government’s decision on hydrogen, to decarbonise at least some of their homes.65 In October 2023, DESNZ set out that heat pumps and heat networks will be the main low- carbon heating technologies over the next decade, with “the potential for hydrogen to play a role in slower time in some locations”. DESNZ told us that it was thinking about the locations and buildings where hydrogen might be used, but that anyone looking to install a heat pump should do so, irrespective of where they live.66