The lessons from natural gas conversion

Public services union UNISON says the decarbonisation of energy has operational parallels with the natural gas conversion programme, although it would be on a much bigger scale.

From the mid-1960s the UK converted from town gas to natural gas (methane). This huge logistical operation involved changing the gas appliances of millions of UK homes in a systematic and well-planned operation. It was conducted by a public corporation achieving its objective on a door to door, street by street and community by community basis. It involved a huge public relations exercise and massive levels of consumer engagement.

UNISON says only a public body would have had the confidence of the public and ensure such a conversion programme was accepted by consumers. It standardised delivery, so was cost effective and logistically possible. It also supported a substantial rise in the employment of skilled gas workers.