Today, Swedish based clean energy tech company, Aira, launches in the UK with a pledge to invest £300 million in the next three years to accelerate decarbonisation. The company’s ambition is to serve five million households across Europe, of which one million are in Britain, with affordable clean energy tech solutions to take Europe off gas. It will reduce the UK’s CO2 emissions to the equivalent of taking two million cars off the nation’s roads.
The UK still relies on 25 million fossil fuel boilers to heat homes, these account for 16% of the nation’s CO2 emissions. Switching to an air source heat pump substantially reduces household heating costs and carbon emissions. With Aira’s innovative and accessible solutions, households save 25% on their heating related costs while simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions by 75%.
The government’s mission is to increase heat pump uptake to 600,000 installations a year by 20282 to reduce the nation’s reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuels. Aira chairman Harald Mix is set to lay out the company’s pledge to decarbonise the UK at the Global Investment Summit today.
The company offers an ecosystem of clean energy tech solutions, including intelligent heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage, and electricity tariffs. With a complete Aira ecosystem solution, UK households can save over 55% on energy related costs, including the product investment while reducing CO2 compared to current fossil fuel solutions. It makes the switch affordable and accessible, with an offering comprising an all inclusive plan, a 10 year ‘Comfort Guarantee’, and a 30 day order to installation commitment – with zero upfront cost.
Today, Aira UK is a team of 200 employees, consisting of clean energy experts and supporting roles, with 600 employees globally. Since its global launch in June 2023, the company has acquired Sheffield based All Seasons Energy, a renewable energy specialist, leveraging its local expertise and knowledge. To accelerate rapid growth, it is investing in two academies – one in London and one in Yorkshire – that will train thousands of clean energy experts, helping drive its goal to serve one million UK homes and build the clean energy workforce of tomorrow.
Martin Lewerth, group CEO, said: ‘The UK is a crucial market to decarbonise, being one of Europe's most populated countries and with the lowest heat pump penetration rate of just 1%. We are excited to introduce Aira's innovative home energy solution in the UK, and we are confident that our offering and value proposition, which includes substantial consumer cost savings, no need for lifestyle changes, and a zero upfront payment model, will be well received. We are here to accelerate the important transition from dirty gas boilers to clean heat pumps.’
Daniel Särefjord, UK CEO, added: ‘Heat pumps represent the most technologically advanced, economic, and environmentally friendly way to heat our homes. They are four times more energy efficient than gas boilers and will help people reduce their heating bills by 25%. The government has confirmed that over 90% of UK homes are suitable for a heat pump. Aira offers a hassle free, budget friendly path to lower energy bills and a more climate friendly economy.’
Energy security secretary Claire Coutinho said, ‘Families should not have to choose between cutting costs and cutting emissions which is why we increased our Boiler Upgrade Scheme by 50% to £7500 grants – making our scheme one of the most generous in Europe.
‘Our plan is working, and we are seeing an increase in applications. It is fantastic that Aira is investing £300 million in the UK heat pump market to help further rollout.
‘The investment will also create 8000 new jobs here in the UK, growing our economy and helping us make the green transition.’