Fuels Industry UK comment on British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme

The UK’s high energy costs are an issue which must be urgently addressed, but Monday’s announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will not benefit the UK refineries’ competitiveness.

The new scheme could have addressed the limitations in the design of the British Industry Supercharger - for which we are eligible but cannot meaningfully make use due to our complex electricity supply arrangements and the fact that we produce our own heat and power - however, it does not seem that refineries are even eligible for the BICS scheme. 

Government knows that refineries are closing due to the UK’s high costs of doing business and must update its schemes to make sure the sector can meaningfully access the industrial energy cost reductions their policies aim to deliver.

Elizabeth de Jong, Fuels Industry UK Chief Executive Officer