Richard Lowes
@richardlowes.bsky.social
Energy policy obsessive on clean/decarb, mostly clean heating and gas. Surfer, dog lover, live in Cornwall. Work for Exeter Uni and the Regulatory Assistance Project. Fellow of the Energy Institute. Co-chair of Clean Heat Forum.
The removal of the RO levy from bills to taxpayer funding is a huge win for UK households, energy policy and strategy. ECO reform was needed, but a cut seems foolhardy.
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The removal of the RO levy from bills to taxpayer funding is a huge win for UK households, energy policy and strategy. ECO reform was needed, but a cut seems foolhardy.
The cost of living crisis was caused in large part by gas prices.
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The cost of living crisis was caused in large part by gas prices.
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Heat pump policy supports a solution which which gets the country off gas AND reduces emissions.
I seriously hope this is some crossed wires, if not we really are in trouble.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
I've always found the UK's decline into major gas import dependency troubling and seen the electrification of demand and efficiency as the core solution to energy security AND decarbonisation (climate change is also hugely worrying to me).
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 AM
I've always found the UK's decline into major gas import dependency troubling and seen the electrification of demand and efficiency as the core solution to energy security AND decarbonisation (climate change is also hugely worrying to me).
I'm delighted to share our new Clean Heat Policy Tracker, an initiative led by @regassistproj.bsky.social via the Clean Heat Forum). www.raponline.org/toolkit/clea...
Clean Heat Policy Tracker
Table of Contents Acknowledgements The Clean Heat Policy Tracker 2025 was designed and authored by Duncan Gibb and Richard Lowes (Regulatory Assistance Project/Clean Heat Forum). Chiara Delmastro (Int...
www.raponline.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I'm delighted to share our new Clean Heat Policy Tracker, an initiative led by @regassistproj.bsky.social via the Clean Heat Forum). www.raponline.org/toolkit/clea...
UK Government has caused some upset by appointing the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole accreditation body for heat pumps. I think it's actually a good move. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements for clean heat schemes | Richard Lowes
UK Government has caused some upset by appointing the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole accreditation body for heat pumps. I think it's actually a good move.
I was never convince...
www.linkedin.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
UK Government has caused some upset by appointing the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole accreditation body for heat pumps. I think it's actually a good move. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
Reposted by Richard Lowes
The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
Making electricity cheaper: Modernising taxes and levies to incentivise electrification of industrial heat
RAP experts Sem Oxenaar and Tom Butler look at the state of electricity and gas prices for industry and the impact of reducing taxes and levies.
www.raponline.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The future energy bill is an electricity bill.
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
This is why we must 'Make Electricity Cheaper' for households, businesses and industry.
In our 3rd paper at RAP on this topic, Tom Butler & I look at reducing tax & levies added to electricity prices for industry.
tinyurl.com/4z4v5ssd
What does an energy governance failure look like? How about the same road getting a replacement gas pipe and a heat network at the same time?
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
What does an energy governance failure look like?
How about the same road seeing gas mains replaced and the installation of a district heating network AT THE SAME TIME. I present the A259 and… | Rich...
What does an energy governance failure look like?
How about the same road seeing gas mains replaced and the installation of a district heating network AT THE SAME TIME. I present the A259 and surroun...
www.linkedin.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM
What does an energy governance failure look like? How about the same road getting a replacement gas pipe and a heat network at the same time?
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
Ember demonstrating, in numbers, how electrification is central to reducing energy imports in Europe. Heat pumps in the Netherlands are already reducing gas demand in homes by around 10%! ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Shockproof: how electrification can strengthen EU energy security | Ember
Electrification, using homegrown clean power, is the main tool to reduce the EU’s exceptionally high and risky dependence on imported fossil fuels.
ember-energy.org
October 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Ember demonstrating, in numbers, how electrification is central to reducing energy imports in Europe. Heat pumps in the Netherlands are already reducing gas demand in homes by around 10%! ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
Such a depressing situation when solid wall insulation can have such an incredible positive impact when installed properly. Designing the policy to deliver it as cheaply as possible without appropriate safeguards was never going to end well: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tens of thousands of homes insulated under government schemes need repairs
Insulation programmes costing billions of pounds have led to widespread problems with damp and mould.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Such a depressing situation when solid wall insulation can have such an incredible positive impact when installed properly. Designing the policy to deliver it as cheaply as possible without appropriate safeguards was never going to end well: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Such a depressing situation when solid wall insulation can have such an incredible positive impact when installed properly. Designing the policy to deliver it as cheaply as possible without appropriate safeguards was never going to end well: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tens of thousands of homes insulated under government schemes need repairs
Insulation programmes costing billions of pounds have led to widespread problems with damp and mould.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Such a depressing situation when solid wall insulation can have such an incredible positive impact when installed properly. Designing the policy to deliver it as cheaply as possible without appropriate safeguards was never going to end well: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The brilliant Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) is looking for two UK based people to join our team as HR assistant and people operations coordinator. Please share. www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
Careers
Are you ready to put your passion for a cleaner energy future to work? Join the RAP team. RAP is seeking collaborators who are enthusiastic about clean energy. We’re looking for curiosity, humor and i...
www.raponline.org
September 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The brilliant Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) is looking for two UK based people to join our team as HR assistant and people operations coordinator. Please share. www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
I'm delighted to share two new translations of version 2 of our global heat pump policy toolkit, one in French and one in Polish (these sit alongside the English and Korean versions). This is a key international resource for growing clean heating. www.raponline.org/toolkit/heat...
September 18, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I'm delighted to share two new translations of version 2 of our global heat pump policy toolkit, one in French and one in Polish (these sit alongside the English and Korean versions). This is a key international resource for growing clean heating. www.raponline.org/toolkit/heat...
North Sea liabilities may already be larger than future sales revenues implying this may have significant costs. But more fundamentally, the quicker you deplete an already declining basin, the more rapidly you become exposed to more imports.
Proper energy strategy needed.
Proper energy strategy needed.
August 31, 2025 at 7:33 AM
North Sea liabilities may already be larger than future sales revenues implying this may have significant costs. But more fundamentally, the quicker you deplete an already declining basin, the more rapidly you become exposed to more imports.
Proper energy strategy needed.
Proper energy strategy needed.
Denmark is proposing removing nearly all tax from electricity bills from next year and taking it down to the EU minimum required level. Will knock off around 5p/kWh. www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Fra næste år vil regeringen næsten helt fjerne elafgiften
I første omgang får forbrugerne billigere strøm i to år, men regeringen afviser ikke at gøre nedsættelsen permanent.
www.dr.dk
August 21, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Denmark is proposing removing nearly all tax from electricity bills from next year and taking it down to the EU minimum required level. Will knock off around 5p/kWh. www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Help needed: I'm looking for the best case studies of governments around the world actively reducing the (relative) price of electricity for households (ideally to actively support electrification). So far I have Germany, The Netherlands, Massachusetts, Sweden, Denmark. Thx
August 19, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Help needed: I'm looking for the best case studies of governments around the world actively reducing the (relative) price of electricity for households (ideally to actively support electrification). So far I have Germany, The Netherlands, Massachusetts, Sweden, Denmark. Thx
Three hard truths about air-to-air heat pumps. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Three hard truths about air-to-air heat pumps. | Richard Lowes
Three hard truths about air-to-air heat pumps.
www.linkedin.com
August 18, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Three hard truths about air-to-air heat pumps. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
It's getting pretty boring/weird seeing campaign groups obsess over air con. It's not blocked - in fact planning permission now allows it for most existing homes. And it won't reduce carbon. Not sure this is London bubble thinking or a funded campaign.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Boiling Britain: How air conditioning could become a political priority in the UK
Politicians blowing hot air won’t solve Britain’s record-breaking hot summers.
www.politico.eu
August 14, 2025 at 1:18 PM
It's getting pretty boring/weird seeing campaign groups obsess over air con. It's not blocked - in fact planning permission now allows it for most existing homes. And it won't reduce carbon. Not sure this is London bubble thinking or a funded campaign.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Full interview here with the why and how we could do pylon support better. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
August 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Full interview here with the why and how we could do pylon support better. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Richard Lowes
Great letter from Dr Richard Lowes, Exeter University + RegulatoryAssistance Project on the continuing insane electricity pricing conditions given the need to incentivise clean energy uptake.
Still no published plan (promised by Boris Johnson in 2022)
www.ft.com/content/4931...
Still no published plan (promised by Boris Johnson in 2022)
www.ft.com/content/4931...
July 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Great letter from Dr Richard Lowes, Exeter University + RegulatoryAssistance Project on the continuing insane electricity pricing conditions given the need to incentivise clean energy uptake.
Still no published plan (promised by Boris Johnson in 2022)
www.ft.com/content/4931...
Still no published plan (promised by Boris Johnson in 2022)
www.ft.com/content/4931...
Reminder that electricity is stacked with levies and a carbon tax and gas gets a free pass, fundamentally imbalancing the market.
While a heat pump specific payment might deliver a few heat pumps, it won't solve fundamentals and is at risk of cancellation. Wider reform needed.
While a heat pump specific payment might deliver a few heat pumps, it won't solve fundamentals and is at risk of cancellation. Wider reform needed.
July 17, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reminder that electricity is stacked with levies and a carbon tax and gas gets a free pass, fundamentally imbalancing the market.
While a heat pump specific payment might deliver a few heat pumps, it won't solve fundamentals and is at risk of cancellation. Wider reform needed.
While a heat pump specific payment might deliver a few heat pumps, it won't solve fundamentals and is at risk of cancellation. Wider reform needed.
Update. My letter has today, been published.
Letter: Government must slash electricity prices to boost green tech - on.ft.com/4lM5Xhp via @FT
Letter: Government must slash electricity prices to boost green tech - on.ft.com/4lM5Xhp via @FT
July 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Update. My letter has today, been published.
Letter: Government must slash electricity prices to boost green tech - on.ft.com/4lM5Xhp via @FT
Letter: Government must slash electricity prices to boost green tech - on.ft.com/4lM5Xhp via @FT
Very frustrating news on (no) electricity market reform in GB. Some thoughts.
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
I wrote a letter to the FT two weeks ago about bringing down electricity costs, which was never published. | Richard Lowes
I wrote a letter to the FT two weeks ago about bringing down electricity costs, which was never published. Today government has said it will not reform the power market to reflect more local issues, d...
www.linkedin.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Very frustrating news on (no) electricity market reform in GB. Some thoughts.
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...
Like energy policy? Excellent communicator? Want to be at the leading edge of the energy transition?
New energy and climate comms job with @regassistproj.bsky.social as communications lead in our Europe programme.
www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
New energy and climate comms job with @regassistproj.bsky.social as communications lead in our Europe programme.
www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
Careers
Are you ready to put your passion for a cleaner energy future to work? Join the RAP team. RAP is seeking collaborators who are enthusiastic about clean energy. We’re looking for curiosity, humor and i...
www.raponline.org
July 4, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Like energy policy? Excellent communicator? Want to be at the leading edge of the energy transition?
New energy and climate comms job with @regassistproj.bsky.social as communications lead in our Europe programme.
www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
New energy and climate comms job with @regassistproj.bsky.social as communications lead in our Europe programme.
www.raponline.org/who-we-are/c...
I spoke to the Telegraph yesterday about air-con.
TLDR
-Get it if you need it.
-Despite what some commentators say, it's not banned.
-Air to air heat pumps will not magically clean up the UK's buildings en masse, but they might help. (1/2)
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
TLDR
-Get it if you need it.
-Despite what some commentators say, it's not banned.
-Air to air heat pumps will not magically clean up the UK's buildings en masse, but they might help. (1/2)
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Air-con is a fever dream in boiling Britain
A creaking power grid and high energy bills mean we may have to put up with the sweltering heat
www.telegraph.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I spoke to the Telegraph yesterday about air-con.
TLDR
-Get it if you need it.
-Despite what some commentators say, it's not banned.
-Air to air heat pumps will not magically clean up the UK's buildings en masse, but they might help. (1/2)
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
TLDR
-Get it if you need it.
-Despite what some commentators say, it's not banned.
-Air to air heat pumps will not magically clean up the UK's buildings en masse, but they might help. (1/2)
www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
Good to see progress on the UK's journey to clean energy and a healthy climate and great to see the @thecccuk.bsky.social leading with the importance of electricity prices.
Reminder, it was the Johnson government which first committed to doing something in 2022.
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
Reminder, it was the Johnson government which first committed to doing something in 2022.
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
Progress in reducing emissions 2024 Report to Parliament - Climate Change Committee
Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 36 (1) of the Climate Change Act 2008. This report was laid…
www.theccc.org.uk
June 25, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Good to see progress on the UK's journey to clean energy and a healthy climate and great to see the @thecccuk.bsky.social leading with the importance of electricity prices.
Reminder, it was the Johnson government which first committed to doing something in 2022.
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
Reminder, it was the Johnson government which first committed to doing something in 2022.
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...