Memorandum submitted by the Renewable
Energy Association
The Renewable Energy Association was established
in 2001 to represent British renewable energy producers and promote
the use of sustainable energy in the UK. Currently we have 500+
members representing installers and manufacturers of renewable
energy technology and bodies with an interest in this growing
sector. We are the largest body in the UK that represents the
Renewable Energy Industry.
REA's main objective is to secure the best legislative
and regulatory framework for expanding renewable energy production
in the UK. We undertake policy development and provide input to
government departments, agencies, regulators, NGOs and others.
We have a number of Resource Groups, some looking
at individual technologies, others focused on industry sub-sectors.
RECOMMENDATION 1
That central government advises all local authorities
to set renewable energy targets for both their own estate and
for their householders
Rationale
Under the new Local Government Performance Framework
Local Authorities have to report on reductions in carbon emissions
for both their own activities and per capita for the population
for the area they cover. The contribution to achieving this figure
can be broken down by how those emissions were saved eg energy
conservation renewables etc. Given that achieving the necessary
carbon reduction targets necessary to avert damaging climate change
will require more generation of heat and power from renewable
sources it makes sense for local authorities to both encourage
the take up of renewables in their own district and in improvements
to their own property portfolio. Another important reason to set
targets for local authorities is so their contribution to assisting
the UK's proportion of the EU 20% renewables target by 2020 can
be assessed.
RECOMMENDATION 2
That government directs all local authorities
to consider renewable energy options in the refurbishment and
construction of public buildings using whole life costing principles
Rationale
The new "Use of Resources key lines of
enquiry" document makes the statement in KLOE 5.2—that
there should be:
"More emphasis on stronger, longer term,
full cost evaluation, including (at levels 3 and 4) consideration
of environmental and social in its assessment of costs and benefits
of decision making".
In his statement would back up investment decision
like those made at Barnsley Council where initially high capital
costs for Biomass boilers were offset within the lifetime of the
equipment by the much lower fuel costs. Too often councils will
make decisions to retrofit a new boiler or specify fossil fuel
using boilers without even considering the renewable energy alternatives.
RECOMMENDATION 3
That all local authorities are encouraged by central
government to set up a scheme to support the installation of renewable
technology for householders, such as Kirklees Councils RE-Charge
scheme
Rationale
The Kirklees Council RE-charge scheme is one
where the council underwrites the installation of up to £10,000
worth of renewable energy technology in a household which it then
recovers when the property is sold through a "second charge".
A second charge is an alternative name for a secured loan, so
called because the loan is guaranteed or "charged" on
your home, and is the Second Charge on your home—your Mortgage
being the first. The holder of a second charge has a legal call
on the property in the event of the borrower defaulting on repayments,
but only after all liabilities to the holder of the first charge
are settled. Once the money is recovered it goes back into the
loan fund to be used to pay for more installations. The principle
advantage of the scheme is that the householder has no upfront
costs but gets the benefit of renewable technology immediately.
RECOMMENDATION 4
That government calls on all local planning authorities
adopt a `Merton style' renewable energy target for new developments
Rationale
The recently published Planning Policy Statement
on Climate Change confirmed that Local Planning Authorities will
be able to specify targets for on-site renewables in all major
new developments. Such policies as these will help Councils achieve
their carbon reduction and renewables targets. It will enable
local developers, builders and architects to become familiar with
the technology in preparation for the introduction of zero carbon
homes in 2016. Enabling the renewables sector to grow in a local
area through these policies will help produce a healthy market
for the technology and reduce costs.
24 January 2008
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