Boost for heat pumps and other renewables

A private members bill designed to drive forward the take up of microgeneration and low carbon technology has been launched.

The Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Bill which has cross party support has been introduced by Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth – who lost his Environment portfolio in the shadow cabinet earlier this week.

Heat pumps could benefit

General Manager at Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Department John Kellett welcomed the bill and said it would help support the uptake of technologies his company is promoting such as air source heat pumps.

He said: “Our technology has been proved to be being ideally suited to tackling fuel poverty in off gas locations. But we are blocked by planning restrictions. This is hampering growth and investment.'

Large scale skilled installer base needed

Commercial Director at Mark Group Bill Rumble said: “For feed-in tariffs and renewable heat incentives to work we need a professional and skilled installer base large enough to ensure delivery. The Government needs to introduce tax breaks and other financial assistance for recruiting and training the new generation of home heating and electrical engineers.”

The bill is aimed at cutting red tape and ensuring people are paid for the energy they produce.
It also removes bureaucratic blockages in the planning system to make it easier for people to install technologies in their homes, businesses and farms that create or save energy. 

Step towards decentralised energy

Mr Ainsworth said: “This Bill will be a major step towards decentralised energy, bringing power, literally, to the people. By making it easier for people to create their own energy and profit from it, we can lower energy costs, encourage investment in a green economy and create jobs. 

“This Bill is about making a fundamental shift in the way Britain produces its energy—away from the model of centralised power that ruins the environment to a model that makes homes and businesses less dependent on foreign fossil fuels”.

Consumers need encouragement to use microgeneration technology

Chief Executive of the Micropower Council Dave Sowden said: “Consumers want to play their part in tackling climate change but red tape and a lack of coherent consumer friendly incentives are severely hampering the development of a citizen-led energy democracy.

“Microgeneration can play a significant role in reducing energy bills, cutting carbon emissions and in some cases relieving fuel poverty. The measures contained in this Bill would be a major step forward in helping to achieve this.”