DECC launches consultation on microgeneration

Greenwise Staff

12th July 2010

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has launched a consultation on microgeneration in a bid to develop the sector into a mass market industry.

The consultation on Microgeneration Strategy will look at how to improve technologies and how to develop skills in this emerging sector to meet demand.

To date, around 100,000 businesses, organisations and homes have installed microgreneration technologies, such as solar panels or small wind turbines, and it is estimated small-scale renewable installations could meet two per cent of the UK's electricity demand by 2020.

The Government says it wants to see what more it can do to help develop the industry, create more job opportunities, as well as get advice to businesses and householders and make sure customers can trust the green technology they buy.

In April, the feed-in tariff scheme was launched to encourage additional low carbon electricity generation by organisations, businesses, communities and individuals that are not traditionally engaged in the electricity market. Meanwhile, the Coalition Government has said that it will make public its strategy on a Renewable Heat Incentive, that was set to launch in April 2011, "as soon as possible".

Launching today's consultation, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: "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."

Microgeneration technologies

DECC said the focus of the Microgeneration Strategy will be electricity generation technologies less than 50 kilowatt (kW) in size, and heat generating technologies less than 300 kW in size. As well as more established technologies such as air, ground and water source heat pumps, solar photovoltaics and solar thermal, the consultation will also look at fuel cells and passive flue gas recovery devices.

Today’s announcement follows the Government’s decision to overturn a ban on councils selling green electricity into the national grid, unveiled last week.

The Government will publish the final Microgeneration Strategy in early 2011. Those wishing to contribute to the consultation should email microgenconsult@decc.gsi.gov.uk.

The consultation will close on December 22 2010.