Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK) and Nesta brought heat pumps to Cardiff Bay, giving Members of the Senedd and key policy makers the opportunity to see the technology in action and learn more about its role in decarbonising heat across Wales.
Held just outside the Pierhead building, the ‘Hear, See and Feel a Heat Pump’ event raised awareness and busted the myths around heat pumps. Whilst Wales already leads the UK in heat pump installations per capita, installation rates will need to increase substantially to meet long-term clean heat ambitions.
Attendees included Members of the Senedd from across major political parties, including sponsoring MS Anthony Slaughter, Leader of the Welsh Green Party, who said:
“It is vital that we decarbonise how we heat our homes and businesses if we are to meet our climate commitments, and heat pumps like those shown at today’s event will help do just that, while also lowering energy bills and improving energy security. I am delighted to sponsor this event in the Senedd and get this equipment in the hands of the policymakers who will be instrumental in accelerating the rollout of heat pumps across Wales.
“Wales has already shown leadership in renewable energy uptake, but we now need firm policy and financial commitments from the new Welsh Government to really make strides in helping make clean heating accessible to everyone. Being able to bring these heat pumps to the Senedd is a great way of showcasing the opportunity they present for creating good, local and sustainable jobs, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, and building a greener, fairer future for communities across Wales.”
Featuring heat pumps from Mitsubishi Electric and Vaillant, manufacturers and industry experts were on hand to help policymakers experience how heat pumps provide reliable, efficient heat.
Representatives from Wolseley Renewables Centre also joined the event to showcase how investment in training and supply chains is helping to support employment, skills and the growth of the clean heat sector across Wales.
If heat pump deployment increases to reach government targets, the industry is projected to generate £529 million per year in annual economic value and support nearly 5,500 jobs in Wales by 2035.
Commenting on the event, Chloe Davis, Policy and Communications Lead at HPA UK said: “Heat pumps are a proven technology that can play a vital role in reducing emissions while providing reliable and efficient heating for homes and businesses across Wales. Events like this give policymakers the opportunity to see heat pumps in action, helping to separate fact from fiction and build confidence in the technology. The transition to clean heat is an economic opportunity as well as an environmental one, with the potential to support thousands of skilled jobs, strengthen local supply chains and generate investment in communities across Wales.”
Mitsubishi Electric’s Ben Laverty commented: “It was fantastic to be at the Senedd and to have some positive conversations about the important role Heat Pumps will play in Wales’ transition to low-carbon heating. The technology is proven and flexible enough to work in both new build and retrofit scenarios but deployment at scale requires confidence, a skilled installer base and strong supply chain. By bringing industry and policymakers together, events like this help demonstrate what heat pumps can deliver for homes, residents and communities across Wales.”
Mark Wilkins, Technology and Solutions Portfolio Director at Vaillant and HPA UK Co-Chair, said: “As manufacturers of heat pumps, we were delighted to support in the ‘Hear, See and Feel a Heat Pump’ event to help showcase the role clean heat can play in Wales’ future. The transition to clean heat in Wales will require a strong partnership between government and industry. Building consumer confidence, supporting continued investment in UK manufacturing and developing a skilled workforce will all be critical to delivering that transition successfully.”
Andrew Busst, Training Service Manager at Renewables Centre Wolseley added: “The technology is proven. The next challenge is making sure there are enough skilled installers to fit it properly, and that’s where our focus is. We’ve invested in training centres so installers can build real confidence with heat pumps in an interactive environment. When policymakers see the technology for themselves, the conversation moves quickly from whether heat pumps work to how fast we can get the workforce in place to deliver them.”
