GREEN
FUEL
Cornwall leading the way in
HVO push
A local oil supplier is calling for greater Government backing of fossil-free oil replacement as successful conversions grow and demand increases. With local and national targets for net zero carbon emissions drawing ever nearer, Mitchell & Webber’s nationally leading demonstration of the effectiveness of hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) is putting pressure on the Government to support the quickest and most accessible switch to a renewable, green fuel. For the estimated 1.7 million homes in the UK using oil-fired heating systems, the combination of the uncertainty of oil supplies and the Government’s plans to phase out many fossilfuel powered heating systems within the next decade means the pressure is on to find and implement alternative fuel sources.
36 | BUSINESS CORNWALL
Scorrier-based oil supplier Mitchell & Webber is calling for the Government to support an industry-funded national project that aims to demonstrate that HVO is a swift, costeffective and sustainable alternative to oil. HVO is made from certified waste fats and oils, does not contribute to deforestation, and has been confirmed as sustainable by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification. A simple, quick and cheap conversion to existing oil-fired boilers and systems means that millions of homes could reduce their net greenhouse gas CO2 emissions by 90% in comparison to oil. With the UK Government’s legally binding target of net-zero by 2050, and Cornwall Council’s own target of bringing the county to net-zero even earlier by 2030, Mitchell & Webber is calling on the Government to support the initiative to convert oil-fired properties over to this greener fuel. Mitchell & Webber is the first company in the
country to begin trialling the renewable fossilfree fuel for heating. Since 2020, its team has converted over 50 oil-fired appliances to HVO many in Kehelland, a village in west Cornwall. Properties include domestic homes, businesses, schools and even the local church. Mitchell & Webber director, John Weedon, says: “The owners of these types of buildings face particular challenges as they look to decarbonise their heating. With our HVO conversion, each home is estimated to save an average of around five metric tonnes of CO2 per home each year. “If all of the estimated 40,000 oil-fired properties in Cornwall made the switch, that would be a huge help towards meeting Cornwall’s net-zero target of 2030. The potential impact of this nationally is enormous and we’re really excited to be pushing this innovative and accessible solution forward.” David Biggs, a homeowner in Kehelland, says: “The speed and ease of the switch really
