Is This the Future of Heating In Cornwall? Cornish Village Embraces Revolutionary Renewable Fuel

Photo: Mitchell & Webber invited a government select committee to learn more about HVO

A historic visit by a government select committee to the Cornish village of Kehelland has put the spotlight on a pioneering approach to rural heating.

Mitchell & Webber, a family-run heating oil supplier with a 130-year legacy, hosted the event to demonstrate the potential of renewable heating fuels, specifically Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

The Case for HVO

Kehelland, like many remote communities in Cornwall, is not connected to the national gas grid and relies heavily on kerosene-powered boilers. The government has been advocating for a shift towards heat pumps, but the installation costs are prohibitively high for many residents. Mitchell & Webber argue that HVO, a renewable fuel, offers a less disruptive and more cost-effective solution. The firm’s evidence suggests that HVO can reduce carbon emissions by 88-90%, compared to the 80% reduction achievable with heat pumps.

The committee were shown various HVO installations

Testimonials from the Heart of the Community

Residents of Kehelland shared their experiences, highlighting the benefits of switching to HVO:

• Dave Biggs remarked on the efficiency of HVO, noting the exorbitant costs of insulating his property and questioning the financial viability of alternative decarbonisation technologies.
• Nigel and Stephanie Uren appreciated the quiet operation of their HVO-powered boiler compared to the noise associated with heat pumps, which also require expensive electrical upgrades.
• Stephen and Nicki Thomas found HVO to be remarkably efficient without necessitating significant upfront investments or disruptive installations.
• Andrew and Claire Waterhouse have seen a significant reduction in their carbon footprint since switching to HVO, continuing to use their existing boiler system without difficulties.

Educational and Community Insights

Kehelland School and the local Methodist Chapel have also transitioned to HVO, with both institutions noting the ease and effectiveness of the fuel:

• Ellie Watkins, headteacher at Kehelland School, emphasized the school’s commitment to environmental preservation, stating the impracticality of other technologies given their budget constraints.
• Andrew Geake from the Methodist Chapel highlighted the special heating controls provided by HVO, allowing flexible heating on demand, an essential feature for their community use.

A Call for Action

The visit concluded with positive feedback, yet Mitchell & Webber, led by brothers Robert and John, expressed frustration over the slow governmental response to adopting renewable fuel solutions more widely. They hope that the successful demonstration in Kehelland and the supportive voices of the community will encourage more decisive action and engagement from energy officials.

As Kehelland leads by example, the question remains: will the rest of the UK follow suit in embracing HVO as a key solution for rural heating challenges?