Bio-liquids may soon be rolled out for oil-fired heating in a pilot scheme for around 300 households.

The plan outlined by the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) at its annual general meeting and conference last month forms a key part of the strategy to move households in rural areas towards renewable technologies.

Chairman Barry Gregory said that 2012 represented some of the most challenging trading conditions that the industry had ever experienced.

“We believe the time is right to show that liquid fuels remain the best consumer choice in rural areas,“ he said.

“We hope that government (DECC) will support this financially because our forecast shows there is potential for massive CO₂ savings of two million tonnes per year.”

The project will monitor the performance of B30K and D bio-liquid blends to be installed into around 300 homes and businesses in specific geographical areas.

With the European Commission focusing on electricity as the way forward, OFTEC wants to show how efficient oil-fired heating is to both UK and European governments.