Challenges of rural electrification in England highlighted in University of Gloucestershire study

A new report undertaken by the University’s Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), has revealed the significant barriers facing rural households in the transition to low-carbon heating and electrification.

‘The Challenges for Rural Electrification’ comes at a crucial time as the UK moves towards its Net Zero goals, with the role of electricity in heating, powering vehicles, and replacing fossil fuels playing an increasingly central role.

Commissioned by Rural England CIC and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), the study identifies five key themes affecting rural households’ transition to cleaner energy systems:

• Disparate landscape: policy and delivery are fragmented, with participants citing multiple, conflicting priorities with a lack of guidance across all levels.
• Hidden retrofit costs: even when grants are successfully applied for, the funding does not cover all costs attributed to retrofitting rural homes.
• Trust and negative noise: householders’ lack trust in the green technology and its installation due to conflicting information, misinformation, and poor experiences.
• Capacity and supply: skills shortages and a reliance on mono-technology (such as heat pumps alone) hinder adoption.
• Rural nuance: rural factors, including geographic area type, ageing populations, and cultural preferences for traditional heating options, shape decisions.

Discussions with the community in rural Gloucestershire uncovered that many households remain cautious about adopting approaches to electrification due to concerns around cost, disruption, and reliability.

The report recommends that by building trust through consistent, community-based engagement and supporting locally tailored solutions, rural areas can keep up with the transition to cleaner heating. Addressing hidden costs, harnessing the enthusiasm of early adopters and ensuring investment in skills and infrastructure are also key to ensuring the smooth transition.

Dr Natasha Stonebridge, author of the report and Research Assistant at the CCRI, said: “Meeting with the rural community in Gloucestershire allowed for some very open discussions which gave us unique insights into the attitudes towards electrification, including the perception that urban areas are prioritised for investment over rural ones.

“This research comes at a pivotal time as the UK advances towards its Net Zero goals and provides real world implications including the need to develop a language that incorporates the cultural capital of rural communities and not simply a change of utility.”

Melanie Thompson-Glen, Head of Business and Innovation, NICRE commented: “This research in Gloucestershire mirrors what we’re seeing in the North East through our CAIRN project – that successful rural energy transitions must be rooted in community.

“When solutions take local culture, trust and practical challenges seriously, they’re far more likely to take hold. It’s another reminder of the power of community-led innovation in shaping a fair and effective path to net zero.”