Energy Review fails renewables

"News" that the Government's Energy Review has given the green light to new nuclear puts the Review's very modest renewable energy measures into perspective.

"The Review was an opportunity to build on the 2003 Energy White Paper vision of a genuinely renewable and low carbon future," said Jeremy Leggett. "But the Government has blown it. Every pound spent on new nuclear is a pound less for renewable energy schemes. How we deal with the dangerous legacies of nuclear power remains unanswered in this particular dodgy dossier."

The Government will claim that its decision to increase the Renewables Obligation (RO) and consult on "banding" the RO for offshore wind, wave, and solar pv technologies will put it on track to meet its 2010 target and 2020 renewables "aspiration." But the RO is already a tried, tested and failed mechanism. Adding to its complexity will do little to lift the UK out of its embarassing position n...

Solarcentury and Sharp UK Welcome Government Support for The Merton Rule

Solarcentury and Sharp UK have welcomed the positive Ministerial statement on planning and micro renewables made by Yvette Cooper MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning yesterday.

The statement clarifies PPS22 wording on the wider takeup of The Merton Rule pro renewables planning policies. The Government now "expect all authorities" to put in place such policies and is writing to all chief planning officers urging them to do so. The statement followed the Minister's speech at yesterday's REA Micro renewables conference in which Ms. Cooper highlighted the work of Merton and Croydon councils and emphasised that "It is essential that all planning authorities follow this example."

Ministerial reshuffle

Last week's Ministerial reshuffle is notable for the micro renewables industry in three respects. First, the elevation of David Miliband to Secretary of State for the Environment in part reflects the Government's need to have a high profile and young moderniser to fight the climate change media war with David Cameron.