Bioenergy could count for around a tenth of the UK’s total primary energy demand by 2020, according to the latest assessment from the Government. Yesterday the Government set out its vision for bioenergy to coincide with a new report by the UK’s National Centre for renewable materials and technologies which suggests the sector could support […]

A strong future for biomass power is in danger of slipping through Britain’s fingers because the Government is delaying revealing news about the Renewables Obligation banding. Biomass is currently covered by the Renewables Obligation subsidy scheme, which lasts up to 2017, after which the industry subsidies will be covered by the Electricity Market Reform (EMR). […]

Green groups have reacted with dismay to news today that the UK is likely to go ahead with shale gas extraction. A report given to DECC today recommends several measures to mitigate the risks of seismic tremors from hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, but some are warning the implications of allowing the process to go ahead […]

Government contingency plans to temporarily halt payments under the renewable heat scheme in case it overspends its budget have been criticised as “premature”. Today DECC announced a new “cost control mechanism” which would stop new application for payments until the next financial year. The move sees the Government adopt a cautious approach to spending on […]

Renewable groups are lining up to shoot down the findings of a report which suggests renewable energy is expensive and unnecessary for the UK’s energy mix. The report by AF Consult suggests that if costs are the biggest concern, renewables “have no part to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050”. “The […]

Renewable groups are disappointed DECC is pressing on with its appeal against the court ruling which found its cut to solar subsidy “unlawful”. Today the Department is lodging its appeal with the Supreme Court to challenge both December’s Judicial Review on the solar Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and the Court of Appeal’s ruling in January. Trade […]

The updated Feed-in Tariff has been welcomed in part by some in the renewable sector for the level of certainty it could now provide the industry following the recent lawsuit DECC faced from the solar industry. Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy said: “The industry has been asking for more clarity and the government has […]

The Renewable Energy Association is dismissing calls from Tory backbenchers to make it easier to challenge planning permission for onshore wind farms, claiming this will put a “greater premium” on renewables. At the end of last month more than 100 MPs from the Tory backbenches and handful from other parties sent a letter to the […]

The renewables industry has received a vital shot in the arm from today’s High Court decision as the ruling of Government action over the Feed-in Tariff was upheld as illegal. Those in the industry have welcomed the massive decision which they think will make DECC think twice about questionable policy changes. Jeremy Leggett, Chairman, Solarcentury […]

The Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association has warned that the impact of the recent High Court ruling regarding the Feed-in Tariff could increase instability in the industry. The implications of the judicial review mean that the original tariff (pre December 12) cannot be changed until after the full eight-week parliamentary process, followed by […]