Sector slams EU renewable target
decision as ‘missed opportunity’
Industry leaders are united in their disappointment at the EU Commission’s
announcement in January not to impose extended binding renewable energy targets
on a national level.
Although a 27 percent pan-European target has been set for renewable energy
generation in 2030, in addition to a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases, no
single nation will have a legislated target once current quotas are reached in 2020.
The message from the UK renewable energy industry is that the UK government,
which was a leading opponent of any legally binding renewable target, has failed to
Thumbs down: The EU Commission has voted against
imposing legally-binding renewable energy targets to 2030 on
realise the effect a growing green energy sector will have on job creation, economic
member states, preferring a continent wide approach
growth and energy security.
The REA and STA led the wave of criticism of the negative message this sends
to investors in low carbon technologies.
STA head of external affairs, Leonie Greene, said: “It is something that Europe
has agreed a 40 percent emissions reduction target, albeit not high enough, but renewable energy stands at the heart of achieving this. From
a climate perspective Europe needs to expedite, not slow, renewables deployment. From an economic perspective weakening ambition is
nonsensical given the massive investments in renewables our international competitors are making.
“The 27 percent renewables target is no more than the Commission expects under business as usual, so the Council and Parliament must
improve this signifi cantly if it’s to have any meaningful effect.”
RenewableUK chief executive, Maria McCaffery, added: “While it is pleasing to see the EU Commission recognise that renewable energy is a
key part of future energy solutions across Europe, the lack of ambition in not ensuring there are national binding targets for renewable energy is a
disappointment. This is a missed opportunity for member states to take collective and serious action on the drive for clean, sustainable, renewable
energy, which is the best option for reducing our carbon emissions.”
UFW hosts Las Vegas
competition Extra £150k pledged to RHI
training fund
UFW is offering installers the opportunity to win a trip to Las
Vegas to watch England’s World Cup game versus Costa Rica.
The competition, which is open to all purchasers of NIBE air
source or ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers, will
see 11 lucky winners spend four nights in the gambling capital
between 22-26 June 2014, with the football match viewing taking
place on 24 June.
Return fl ights from Manchester, airport transfers, hotel
accommodation and four evening meals are included. Fifty
runners up will also receive a prize.
The draw will take place on Thursday 01 May at UFW’s HQ
in Leicester. All qualifying vouchers must be received by UFW no
later than Wednesday 30 April and details of all winning tickets
will be posted on the UFW website.
For further information and for the full terms and conditions
of the competition please visit: www.ufw.co.uk The £500,000 RHI installer training fund
launched by DECC last October has been
topped up with an additional £150k due to
high demand, climate change minister Greg
Barker has announced.
Administered by GTEC Training, the
scheme funds both installers wishing to
move into the renewable heating market
and an apprentice initiative. Based on early
indications of uptake, DECC will increase
funding to further bolster the supply chain as
we approach the launch of the domestic RHI.
Cash boost: Climate change
Greg Barker said: “This announcement
minister Greg Barker
has announced another
is a positive refl ection on the industry’s
£150,000 to fund installers
willingness to come on board with the
training in renewable heat
government’s push towards renewable
technologies
heating. I am excited to be able to announce
this additional funding, which should be taken as yet another sign of
DECC’s commitment to renewable heating and the imminent arrival of
the domestic RHI this spring.
“By incorporating renewable heating into the businesses of many
off-gas grid installers, consumers unsure about their next heating system
will be able to more easily access knowledgeable, trusted sources of
advice in their home.”
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