REA supports news on EMR policy

December 4, 2013, London, England – The Renewable Energy Association
welcomes the U.K. government’s confirmation of support levels for renewable
power under the new Electricity Market Reform (EMR) policy. Some strike prices
have gone up while others have gone down. Industry’s major concern though is
the detailed policy design. The renewable energy industry is a broad church,
and it is vital that a wide range of businesses and technologies are
effectively supported, especially independent generators.

REA Chief Executive Dr. Nina Skorupska said:

“The spin in Westminster and the media today is
disappointing but not surprising. Today is actually a good news day for
renewable electricity and renewable heat. The real reason that support for
solar and onshore wind will go down is that they are leading the race for
cost-competitiveness with fossil fuels. Government policy is working and
bringing down costs. The important thing is that decisions are evidence-based,
not purely political, and we need to see the methodology to assess that.”

“The big picture here is that renewables are the only low
carbon technologies which can help bridge the looming supply crunch – and yet
Government has actually depressed its ambition for biomass and conventional
waste to energy generation. This means more coal and gas plants, keeping us
very much hooked on volatile fossil fuel prices.

“The real test for EMR is in the policy design – not just
the headline support levels. There is more work to be done to ensure that EMR
works for independent generators as well as the big utilities. Independent generators
help drive competition and innovation, and can also help communities invest in
their own local energy projects.”

The Government has also confirmed changes to the Renewable
Heat Incentive today. REA reaction is available on our website: www.r-e-a.net/news/rea-welcomes-renewable-heat-incentive-upgrade