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Coalition Kickstarts Microgeneration Consultation
The Government has set out their plans to encourage businesses, homeowners and communities to generate their own renewable energy.
Ministers have launched a Microgeneration Strategy consultation into the next stage of how they intend to “empower” local communities to produce their own heat and electricity.
Nearly 100,000 homes, schools and businesses have already taken advantage of the Feed-in Tariff incentive scheme introduced by the previous administration back in April that rewards organisations for generating their own “green” electricity.
Now the Coalition aims to broaden support for microgeneration to “help develop the industry, create more job opportunities, and make sure customers can trust the green technologies they buy”.
The plans focus on electricity generation technologies less than 50 kW in size and heat generating systems of less than 300 kW, incorporating technologies such as biomass, wind turbines, solar panels, and Combined Heat and Power.
It will look at the following four key areas for development:
- Quality: ensuring consumers have confidence that equipment and installation is reliable and adheres to the highest standards.
- Technology: examining how to improve products through more trialling of technologies new to the UK.
- Skills: developing the microgeneration supply chain to ensure it is properly equipped with the right people with the skills needed to meet the expected rise in demand, as well as creating and sustaining jobs in the UK.
- Advice: providing more readily available advice and information about microgeneration to homeowners, communities and small businesses.
Climate Change Minister Greg Barker claimed microgeneration was a way of “literally bringing power back to the people”.
He said:
“By becoming more self sufficient we can create sustainable local energy economies. People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon.
“I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”
The consultation has been backed by Dave Sowden, chief executive of industry group the Micropower Council.
He said:
“Microgeneration is already a notable British manufacturing, servicing and export success story. It brings a unique personal touch for citizens to ‘do their bit’ in tackling the country’s energy efficiency and sustainability needs, as well as helping supply security, fuel poverty relief and creating thousands of green jobs in recent years.”
The consultation will close on December 22, with ministers expecting to publish the final strategy early in 2011. It follows hot on the heels of Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne announcing plans to scrap a current ban on councils selling their surplus electricity back to the National Grid.
For further information about the Microgeneration Strategy consultation, visit the DECC website (opens a new window)
