UK making unacceptably slow progress towards renewables

The BBC reported on how a committee of MPs have declared the UK is making "unacceptably slow" progress towards its renewable energy targets.

The Committee of Public Accounts has also warned of the UK missing renewables targets because it didn't allow for the rejection of many wind farm applications.

It's also criticised the way funding has been controlled for many renewable projects, claiming that some of the £180m allocated to support renewable projects had gone unspent.

You can read the full article here.

It's all a bit predictable to be honest and the sad fact is that with apparent miss-management of funds on one side and the large amount of wind farm applications that have been rejected, the UK still trails behind in the renewable energy stakes.

Personally I don't care how but the message is clear - get your act together - quickly.

photo credit: vizzzual.com

Renewable energy integration - Portugal gets it right

Syma Tariq (in the Guardian) reckons the UK should be looking to Portugal for an example of how to successfully integrate renewable energy into their lives.

True, this abundance of clean energy hasn't reduced bills (yet) but prices are expected to reach a plateau and start decreasing as more renewables come online. Lisbon residents have seen their own bills rise by nearly 16% in the last 5 years. Compare that with 14% rise in the UK in the same period but what have we got to show for it?

Portugals success lays with its Government - when power companies were unwilling to invest in a grid infrastructure to involve renewables, the Government bought the lines and began making the adaptations themselves.

They also introduced a range of feed-in tariffs which as Syma points out, our Government is trying to get rid of.

Portugal's been hugely successful - they've increased their reliance on green electricity from 17% to 45% in just five years whereas the UK has increased its own by just 3%.

We have a lot of catching up to do.

You can read Syma Tariq's full report by clicking here.

photo credit: pedrosimoes7

Ganging up on the Energy Secretary over fears of subsidy cuts

"the shadow of cuts?"

As reported by the Guardian last week, 22 different green, countryside and housing groups have written to Energy Secretary Chris Huhne warning against cutting renewable energy incentives like the Feed-in tariffs and the still hoped for Renewable Heat Incentive.

With heating responsible for 47% of the UK's emissions and 49% of energy demand, many are claiming that any Government serious about climate change can't afford to ignore the problem.

The recently introduced Feed-in tariffs for self generated electricity have seen a massive boom in interest, but such uptake causes huge problems for the Government in how to continue funding such a scheme.

And with worrying noises from Whitehall inferring that when the funding is reviewed in 2012, tariffs may be cut (as they have in other european countries), then it's not hard to see why so many are beginning to worry.

Economic knock-on effect

The economic knock on of such schemes is job creation in the energy and building sectors, whilst also boosting manufacturing. Supporters fear any cuts will set back their respective industry sectors considerably in what is a fragile state of recovery.

A spending review is due to be published on the 20th October and it will be very interesting to see if the Government have heeded the repeated calls to leave the present generation tariff schemes alone.

You can read the full report at the Guardian by clicking here.

If tariffs are facing cuts, then it's even more imperative to get your installation underway before the cuts affect you. Visit Solar Panel Quoter to get your online solar panel installation quote today.

photo credit: pixie

Coalition Government announce Green Deal for UK homeowners

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg outlined plans for the new Green Deal through which up to 14 million homes could benefit from insulation, the payment for which will be collected through energy bills, but still saving households money - some of the worst homes could save around £550 a year.

The Government will begin the legislative process this Autumn with the the scheme expected to be in effect in 2012.

The Green Deal combines economic growth whilst promoting energy efficiency. It's aim is to reduce carbon emissions by making homes warmer, saving homeowners money and stimulating 'green recovery' in jobs.

Read the full press release at cabinetoffice.gov

It's unclear at this moment whether other energy saving methods like installing double glazing etc will also be covered in the Green Deal - the Governments announcement only mentions insulation which could imply loft, cavity wall or both.

photo credit: dichohecho

Scotland's community and renewable energy scheme closes

A victim of its own success? Like others, the Scottish Government has found out that over-subscription to renewable energy initiatives eventually means closing those schemes down.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said that the Scottish community and renewable energy scheme is facing financial pressures after groups are set to benefit from £13.5 million of funding.

The scheme which was started in May 2009 has already helped more than 300 community groups invest in solar, biomass and wind projects.

Note* The message seems to be if you're thinking of applying or making use of any Government funding or scheme, particularly where renewable energy is concerned, then get in quickly before the scheme / funding is over-subscribed.

photo credit: hirata yasuyuki

Energy saving messages passed via energy companies questioned

Like Cathy Debenham at YouGen, I to have struggled with the fact that energy saving and efficiency schemes, dreamt up by Governments are actually delivered by the power companies themselves.

As Cathy says - why on earth would an energy company want me to use less energy? Surely they're in the business of selling as much of it as they can?

If you're feeling equally confused, why not read Cathy's blog post - click here.

photo credit: mykl roventine