OFTEC has received recognition at the UK and Ireland Association Awards 2018, which showcase the achievements of trade associations that have improved or advanced their sector.
OFTEC won the ‘Effective Voice of the Year’ Award for its work to secure a sustainable future for the oil heating industry and positively influence the debate on decarbonisation, energy efficiency and fuel poverty.
The accolade is also said to recognise OFTEC’s lobbying to champion the interests of rural households affected by fuel poverty, which helped secure the continued inclusion of oil heating in the new ECO3 fuel poverty scheme. The government had initially sought to exclude kerosene from the policy despite the fact it is by far the cheapest fuel available to off-grid homes.
It is also said to reflect OFTEC’s ongoing work to promote a positive case for the development of a low carbon liquid fuel to directly replace heating oil in support of the government’s Clean Growth Strategy.
OFTEC is working closely with BEIS and has rallied support within the industry, providing an effective voice to help secure the most cost effective, practical solution for consumers.
Commenting on the award win, OFTEC CEO, Paul Rose, said: “We are delighted to have won this award and see this excellent outcome as welcome independent recognition for the way we have and continue to contribute and influence the agenda around decarbonisation, energy efficiency and fuel poverty.
“We will continue to highlight the strong potential for low carbon liquid fuels and highlight the opportunities and challenges that exist around decarbonising heat in the off-grid sector.”
At the UK and Ireland Association Awards, which took place in London on Tuesday 18 December and was attended by 180 associations, OFTEC also took part in a ‘success story’ seminar session to present its campaign and share experiences and advice with other trade bodies.
Paul concluded: “Alongside our award win, we also had the opportunity to engage with trade associations from a broad range of industries to share the work we have been doing and discuss how we can all make a positive impact, not just within our own respective sectors, but society as a whole.”
