News

New Ground 69
Autumn 2005

Making Sustainable Energy Happen

November 11th could be an important day for climate change and renewable energy; more specifically, for the future prospects of establishing micro generation as a real force in producing clean domestic energy on a large scale. The potential of micro generation to directly power homes through harnessing clean energy is vast and largely undisputed: a recent report suggested that a sustained microgeneration programme in the UK could, within fifteen years, produce enough clean energy in its own right to make up and exceed the 'energy gap' arising from the shut down of nuclear reactors over that period. The question is not whether but how. What measures and targets need to be pursued to make this happen, and how can the installation of domestic Solar water and photovoltaic, domestic wind power, small scale combined heat and power plants and other devices be achieved on the scale needed?

And why November 11th? This is the day when Parliament debates two Private Members Bills aiming between them to both bring in practical measures to enhance the ability of householders and local authorities to install micro generation, and enshrine targets and fiscal measures to support its adoption

There are of course, pitfalls along the route. Private Members Bills are notoriously prone to fall by the wayside. If government doesn't like them, they can be 'talked out'. If the Bills fail to gather enough supporters on the day, they can fall because other Bills have more pressing claims. First and foremost, therefore, it is essential that 100 or more supportive MPs are available on November the 11th to ensure the passage of the Bills. Anyone who supports the aims of the Bills can make a real contribution to their success simply by reminding their MP to make time to be present on the day.

Because we, as sponsors of the bills, have both drawn relatively high places in the Private Members Bills Ballot, there should be time during the present Parliament for one and perhaps both to proceed to the Statute Books if all goes well. The 'Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill' drawn fourth, requires Government to report annually on greenhouse gas emissions and the progress being made in their reduction. It also requires targets to be set for the introduction of micro generation, both locally and nationally. In order to support this, the bill enables electricity from micro generation to be sold efficiently, enables micro generators to have access to 'green energy' certificates, and adds a 'renewable heat obligation' to the renewable power obligation already in existence.

The second Bill, the 'Management of Energy in Buildings Bill', seeks to remove some obstacles to the development of domestic micro generation - through changes to planning law; making permission for small installations automatic, and by amending the building regulations to require future new buildings to make a contribution from various kinds of installed micro generation to the energy consumption of the building.

Between them, the bills provide an opportunity to establish micro generation across the UK as standard, ensuring daily means of heating and powering homes using renewable or near renewable energy. They don't require huge new investment, or the invention of new technology: they do need political support to make them happen.

Alan Whitehead MP & Mark Lazarowicz MP