policy
CPA presses for fuel security and technology neutrality in downstream oil response
The plant-hire trade body has published its submission to the government's call for evidence on fuel supply chains, which the department said will inform an upcoming downstream oil strategy.
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has published its response to the government's call for evidence on the future of the UK downstream oil sector, highlighting the importance of fuel security, domestic production and technology neutrality.
The trade body said its submission also proposed measures to support practical decarbonisation and to strengthen UK resilience.
The call for evidence was issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). The department said it was gathering evidence to provide a foundation for a strategy for the downstream oil sector.
The call for evidence
DESNZ said it wanted the upcoming strategy to promote economic growth and energy security, and to make sure the sector can support the UK's energy transition. It invited industry operators, trade associations, trade unions and subject matter experts, among others, to respond.
The call for evidence ran from 23 February 2026 to 20 April 2026. The government said fossil based, sustainable and synthetic fuel products will continue to be a part of the UK's energy mix.
According to DESNZ, fuel is the largest energy subsector, meeting 47% of final energy consumption in the UK. The department's document said the country has more than 30 import terminals and more than 20 inland terminals, plus more than 8,000 forecourts.
It also pointed to the Humber refinery, which it said has a refining capacity of 221,000 barrels per day, and to the around 4 million UK homes not connected to the mains gas grid.
The CPA's position
The CPA said the government sought evidence on the future role of the UK's downstream oil sector and fuel supply chains, and that its response set out the importance of fuel security, domestic production and technology neutrality.
The association published its full response alongside a summary on its website.
What happens next
DESNZ said the evidence it gathered will inform an upcoming strategy for the downstream oil sector.
On the record: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Sources
- Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-12)
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-12)
This story was researched from the primary sources above and checked against them before publication. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it promptly.
