The DTI published "Our Energy Challenge: Power from the people", the microgeneration strategy for the UK in March this year.  Its objective is to "create conditions under which microgeneration becomes a realistic alternative or supplementary energy generation source for the householder, for the community and for small businesses". 

 

Microgeneration is the "small scale production of heat and/or electricity from a low carbon source" (s82 Energy Act 2004).  It includes:

 

• Electricity generation: solar photovoltaic, micro-wind, micro-hydro and small scale fuel cells;
• Heat generation: solar thermal, ground and air source heat pumps and biomass;
• Micro combined heat and power (CHP).

It is estimated that microgeneration could meet 30-40% of the UK's electricity needs by 2050, reducing household carbon emissions by 15% a year. 

 

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme, launched this year, will provide £80m of funding for small scale renewables installations over the 3 years 2006-2009, but further measures are required to combat the barriers to a flourishing microgeneration industry. 

 

The high capital cost and lack of information are noted constraints to the uptake of microgeneration technology and the DTI aims to address these by:

·        Researching consumer behaviour in relation to microgeneration

·        Providing clear guidance on Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs), Renewables Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs) and Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs)

·        Developing a scheme where energy suppliers will reward microgenerators exporting excess power to the grid

·        Examining the inclusion of microgeneration under the Energy Efficiency Commitment Phase 3 (consultation on this is open until 23 October)

·        Development of an accreditation scheme for all microgeneration

·        Assessment of the feasibility of a communications and information campaign to raise the profile of microgeneration

 

Regulatory and technical barriers are preventing increased levels of microgeneration installation and measures to overcome these include:

·        Assessing the needs of planners and developing a communications pack

·        Publication of a report on measures that local authorities can take to promote the installation of the technology in their areas

·        Development of communications package and knowledge base within the construction industry

·        Ensuring that the network can cope with increasing exports to the national grid, and field trials to integrate smart metering and microgeneration technologies.

·        Determining the type of provision required to facilitate installation of microgeneration technology following the ODPM's Housing Development Consents Review

·        Reviewing local plans in England to check for compliance with PPS22. 

 

In Wales TAN 8 provides renewable energy planning guidance, supplementing the policy set out in Planning Policy Wales.  A Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statement on renewable energy has also been issued.

 

The DTI also promises to:

·        Investigate the installation of microgeneration in its own estate

·        Work with DfES on a schools scheme

·        Undertake further research on the future potential of microgeneration to decide whether a microgeneration target is required.

·        Produce a route map for each microgeneration technology, as well as publish a funding map

·        Work with the Sector Skills Council to ensure that the relevant skills base is developed.

 

In Wales, the Sustainable Development Action Plan commits the Welsh Assembly Government to encourage the development of an indigenous microgeneration renewable industry in Wales.  The "Microgeneration Action Plan for Wales" consultation paper was published in April this year and closed in June.  Many felt that its content was disappointing and failed to identify concrete actions that would lead to increased uptake of microgeneration technology in wales.  WAG is currently reviewing the responses to that consultation.

 

For the full DTI strategy document see Our Energy Challenge: Power from the People 

The "Microgeneration Action Plan for Wales" consultation paper can be downloaded from the Energy Saving Wales website