last
updated 6th October 05
By 4ecotips
Fiscal measures necessary
to drive market
The British Wind Energy Association
(BWEA) has called on Government to
propose bold measures to open up the
UK's urban wind resource.
BWEA has highlighted the following
four key areas where Government must
act:
- The Government needs to identify
the right policy and fiscal measures
to drive a large-scale market for
small wind. A number of possible
options must be examined and tested
urgently. They range from capital
grants for homeowners, increased
revenue support for the power generated,
net metering (whereby the power
generated by microgeneration is
deducted from the gross electricity
consumption), council tax rebates
along with tightening up our building
regulations.
- Planning permission is at present
required for microgeneration technologies
such as small wind turbines and
can both delay installation and
is a substantial cost to individuals.
Given the right Health & Safety
framework, the Government should
introduce permitted development
rights for certain technology types,
- Government must commit to establishing
national and regional microgeneration
targets
- As the market expands Government
must implement a robust product
accreditation system and guidance
on installation, maintenance and
dismantling for microgeneration
technologies.
Chris Tomlinson, Head of Onshore
at BWEA says: "Day by day we
see an increasing number of reports
on the impacts of climate change and
how it is affecting our planet. The
Government has made a strong commitment
to large scale renewables through
the Renewables Obligation and good
progress is being made to develop
our on and offshore wind resource.
This year a record number of wind
projects will be commissioned, totalling
500MW of new wind capacity with even
more expected next year.
"However, we must urgently open
up another renewable front; the power
of wind from our homes, schools and
offices. 28% of the UK's CO2 emissions
come from housing. Microgeneration
technologies such as small wind turbines
must play a key role in reducing domestic
emissions by allowing people to generate
part or all of their heat and electricity."
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