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Incumbency in the UK heat sector and implications for the transformation towards low-carbon heating


Citation Lowes, R., Woodman, B. and Clark, M. Incumbency in the UK heat sector and implications for the transformation towards low-carbon heating. UKERC. 2018.
Author(s) Lowes, R., Woodman, B. and Clark, M.
Publisher UKERC
Download ukerc_uk_heat_sector_incumbency_implications_for_2018.pdf document type
UKERC Report Number UKERC/DM/2018/WP/02
Abstract

The project investigated issues surrounding the decarbonisation of heating, which is increasingly seen as a priority by energy policy makers. It considers the move towards low carbon heating from the perspective of incumbency, a topic which has received only limited focus.

Prior research has suggested that incumbent businesses can have both positive and negative influences on decarbonisation. There are examples of large companies investing in low carbon energy and driving change but there are also examples of incumbents trying to resist change therefore slowing or blocking decarbonisation.

This paper focuses on what the policy implications of incumbency in the UK heat sector are for the decarbonisation of UK heat. The paper reports on a large number of interviews with experts working across the UK heat sector. This evidence is further built on using grey sources of literature and data.