Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Thirty-Seventh Report - Decarbonising home heating
Public Accounts Committee
HC 653
Published 26 May 2024
Recommendations
34
Rejected
Uncertainty surrounds future of gas networks and significant decommissioning costs.
Recommendation
Hydrogen UK and the National Audit Office reported that there was also uncertainty over the future role of the gas networks, if it is decided that hydrogen has a limited role and electricity becomes the main energy source.69 This included …
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Government Response Summary
Government explicitly rejects the recommendation for a full assessment on the future of gas networks and decommissioning costs, stating it requires more time, while acknowledging ongoing work to understand scenarios and funding.
HM Treasury
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35
Rejected
DESNZ possesses limited understanding of future gas network decommissioning costs and feasibility.
Recommendation
Although DESNZ clarified that gas networks will be needed for some considerable time, it accepted that it needed to increase its work to look at future decommissioning. The NAO found that DESNZ’s work on the costs and feasibility of gas …
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Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the recommendation for a full assessment of gas network decommissioning costs and feasibility, stating it would require more time. However, it acknowledges the importance and describes ongoing work with regulators and industry to understand decommissioning needs in different scenarios.
HM Treasury
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Conclusions (1)
6
Conclusion
Rejected
DESNZ’s work to test hydrogen for heating has been beset with problems, with key trials cancelled. DESNZ has committed to deciding on the role of hydrogen for heating in 2026. Major trials intended to support its decision have been cancelled or delayed due to local opposition and insufficient supply of …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the recommendation to set out decommissioning plans by June 2025, stating that a full assessment will require more time due to the complexity and uncertainty of future energy scenarios.