A groundbreaking initiative is underway in Northern Ireland where a new device is being piloted to heat the hot water tanks of tenants for free in select Housing Executive properties. This innovative project, run by the NI Housing Executive in collaboration with EnergyCloud NI, aims to fight fuel poverty by utilizing excess renewable energy generated locally. One of the participants, Michael Moore from Omagh, expressed his satisfaction with the device, stating, “It’s hot water all the time – and it’s very hot at times,” emphasizing that the system operates automatically without any need for manual intervention.
The device provides significant relief for households, particularly for Michael’s family, who previously relied on an immersion heater to supply hot water, adding to their energy costs. This project comes in light of Northern Ireland’s alarming statistic that at least 22% of households are in fuel poverty, meaning that over 10% of their income is spent on heating. Robert Clements, head of sustainability at the Housing Executive, highlighted that this initiative could potentially benefit many households, suggesting that participants can receive free hot water up to a hundred times a year.
To optimize energy use, the project channels renewable energy that would otherwise go to waste, especially during periods of low demand, such as at night. This practice began in the Republic of Ireland in 2023. Notably, in December 2024, about 40% of wind energy generated in Northern Ireland was unused due to grid restrictions. EnergyCloud NI reported that in the entirety of 2024, around 915 GWh of renewable energy was dispatched down, which could have heated over 300 million tanks of hot water. This initiative not only addresses the critical issue of fuel poverty but also enhances the efficiency of renewable energy use and reduces carbon emissions, as emphasized by Jamie Delargy, chair of EnergyCloud NI.
Overall, this project stands as a beacon of hope for vulnerable households, providing them with free hot water while contributing positively to the environment through the use of clean energy. It showcases how innovative approaches to energy distribution can effectively tackle pressing social challenges while also promoting sustainability.
