Renewable Energy Installer December/January 2014 | Page 4

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Industry hits back at Cameron pledge to review green taxes
Industry leaders have reacted with dismay at
David Cameron’s recent announcement that
he will ‘review’ green taxes levied on energy
bills.
The prime minister has promised to look
into the proportion of consumer’s electricity
and heating bills currently allocated to funding
renewable technology and energy effi ciency
schemes in an attempt to cut the cost of
energy. The government has come under
increasing pressure to act after the majority of
the ‘big six’ energy suppliers announced price
rises of between 8-10 percent.
The Renewable Energy Association (REA)
has urged the government not to reduce levels
of investment in green energy which is vital in
reducing the country’s dependence on fossil
fuels and meeting carbon reduction targets.
The Department of Energy and Climate
Change was quick to release its own
briefi ng reassuring investors that support for
renewables would not fall within the scope
of any levy review but Cameron’s pledge
appears to have unsettled the industry
nonetheless.
REA chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska
said: “Politicians and the media are simply
wrong to say that green energy is to blame for
pushing up bills.
“It is the ever-increasing cost of gas
which has been the main cause of rising
bills in recent months and years. With more
energy effi cient homes and more home grown
renewables we become less exposed to the
volatile gas markets.”
Ian Glover, general manager of ReneSola
UK, added: “Renewable energy regulations are
partly blamed for the size of UK energy bills.
While it’s true that subsidies to support green
development add around £50 to a household
bill, that’s just 3.7 percent of the average UK
household bill (£1,353).
“The energy price hike only reinforces
the benefi ts of alternative energy sources,
and solar energy is well placed to help home
owners fi ght back against spiralling
energy costs.
“Gas and electricity prices, as the prime
minister has said, are unpredictable – both
here and in much of Europe. But we have the
tools to fi ght the hike.”
Renewable energy to save UK business £33bn by 2030
Electricity and heat generated from recycled food waste, wind turbines and solar panels will save UK businesses £33 billion between 2010 and
2030 and cut carbon emissions signifi cantly, a new study has revealed.
The study, commissioned by energy consultancy Utilyx, reveals that by 2030 on-site renewable energy generation will contribute 14 percent
of the UK’s energy needs –compared to the 9 percent generating capacity recorded in 2011.
Combined heat and power (CHP) and energy from waste are predicted to deliver the greatest savings to UK businesses by 2030 (£20bn) but
solar and tri-generation (the simultaneous creation of cooling, heat and power) are expected to grow the fastest.
The research was based upon a forecast model which analysed the uptake of six major decentralised energy technologies across 23 sectors
including retail, banking, manufacturing, utilities and construction. It found that decentralised energy will deliver total carbon emissions savings of
350 million tonnes by 2030.
Mark Stokes, managing director for Utilyx’s asset management business, said: “This report shows that on-site energy generation will
play an increasingly important role in our future energy mix. Traditionally businesses and organisations have focused on one aspect of energy
management – typically procurement or energy effi ciency.
“The report reveals the need to look at the bigger picture and adopt a joined up approach including considering on-site energy generation. In
a climate of volatile and rising energy prices, decentralised energy can help businesses save money, reduce carbon, and provide energy security.”
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