Power Engineering - UK pushes microgeneration

29 March 2006 - The UK Government yesterday launched a strategy to increase local level energy production and reduce carbon emissions. News of the strategy came in the same week that the government accepted that it was unlikely to meet its target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 20 per cent by 2010.

The Government's first ever Microgeneration Strategy includes grants under the Low Carbon Building Programme, which received a £50m boost by the chancellor in the Budget, and will be published alongside the climate change programme review.

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks presented the plans to the industry during his keynote speech at the Micropower Council today. Wick said, "We cannot afford to fall behind in the race against rising global temperatures and it is essential we reduce carbon emissions where we can."

"By installing micro wind turbines, fitting solar panels and placing ground source heat pumps in our gardens, we can save money on fuel bills, help the environment and get back in touch with where our energy comes from.

"In days gone by we would fill our coalscuttle or collect wood for the fire whereas now we just flick on a switch and expect everything to work. This distance from our energy sources leads to waste but by having microgeneration technologies present in our homes and buildings we reconnect with how much we're using - and abusing - and find ways of being more efficient with it."

The minister said that subsidies would be available to householders wanting to install microgeneration technologies such as rooftop wind turbines or solar panels. He said that the government would be investigating ways to ease the process of planning consents for this type of installation. The minister himself has applied to install a wind turbine on his home in Corydon. He said he would not be applying for any subsidy," I think I can afford to make this small contribution to world climate change myself," said Wicks in a radio interview.

Commenting on the announcement Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council, said: "Following last week's announcement of £50m extra funding for microgeneration, the Government is to be congratulated for this strategy which contains many of what we believe to be the necessary measures for consumers, through adoption of microgeneration, to become a substantial part of the solution to the UK's numerous energy policy challenges.

"Following an amendment to the energy bill two years ago, in which the idea of a strategy was first suggested, the government has engaged in a constructive dialogue with the microgeneration industry and listened carefully to what we have been saying. Now the hard work begins, and we look forward to continuing to advise and support the government in the implementation phase."

Marcus Rand, CEO of the British Wind Energy Association, said: "BWEA warmly welcomes the intent of Government to catalyse the commercialisation of small wind and other micro renewables. It is an absolute imperative that the intent of this document is matched with the necessary actions, so this strategy forms an important part of a long-term commitment to fast-track the full-scale deployment of these critical technologies as quickly as possible."

Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said: "Taken together, the many measures contained in the strategy represent an important boost to the UK micro-renewables sector. The Government's wider Energy Review now provides the perfect opportunity to build on the solid platform of the strategy and to ensure that the full potential of all micro-renewable technologies is delivered in the UK."

A government report out this week said that new and existing policies would deliver a cut of 15-18 per cent by the end of the decade. This falls short of its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2010.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said the government was not giving up on meeting the 20 per cent goal, but said more had to be done to reach it.

The government set the goal of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2010 when it came to power in 1997. This target went beyond the 12.5 per cent reduction outlined in the Kyoto Protocol - which the UK is expected to meet.

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