Flogas Decarbonisation Plans: Building a Sustainable Future for Off-Grid Britain
Flogas, a leading energy supplier in the UK, has a clear vision for 2040: to support the Government’s carbon reduction targets by building a lower-carbon future for off-grid homes and businesses across the country. By focusing on these off-grid areas, Flogas aims to reduce emissions while ensuring energy remains both secure and affordable for those not connected to the mains gas grid.
Flogas aim to target off-grid areas as a significant portion of the UK’s population and essential services, particularly in rural regions, operate without access to the main gas grid. About 14% of UK homes, along with numerous schools, hospitals, and businesses, rely on alternative energy sources for heating and power. Some rurally located industrial sites have large heat demands at high temperatures (>400°C) to drive their industrial processes. At these temperatures, heat pumps are no-longer suitable. While commercial electrical heating technologies (electric boilers) exist at the scale and temperature range required, they can be much more expensive to operate than the incumbent heating system and securing an electricity grid connection of the appropriate size can be timely and prohibitive.
To address these challenges and support the 2040 plan, Flogas is exploring green alternatives to the heavy oils currently used in off-grid settings. One promising option is ammonia, which Flogas believes will be key in the transition to cleaner energy. Ammonia is not only highly effective for off-grid industries, but it is also cost-efficient. Notably, businesses transitioning from traditional Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPGs) to ammonia will only need to make minimal changes to their existing equipment.
At the heart of this initiative is the Amburn project, led by Flogas in partnership with Cardiff University. The project, funded by £3.4m from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, focuses on developing a 1 MW ammonia steam boiler. This technology is designed to provide off-grid businesses with a renewable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The boiler will be tested at a commercial manufacturing site to demonstrate its potential as a cost-effective, low-carbon energy solution.
Flogas’ 2040 decarbonisation plan is a forward-thinking approach to tackling the unique challenges faced by off-grid communities in the UK. By emphasising innovation, sustainability, and accessibility, Flogas aims to provide businesses and homeowners with cleaner energy choices, all while contributing to the nation’s carbon reduction targets. Their commitment to supporting off-grid Britain highlights the importance of inclusivity in environmental efforts and sets a strong example for industry leadership in moving towards a sustainable future. As Flogas continues to expand its renewable energy options and explore new technologies, its role in shaping the UK’s energy landscape remains vital and promising. For more details, you can explore Flogas’ full decarbonisation plan in the Flogas 2040 Pathway.
