I spent quite a bit of time this afternoon reading the various responses to the Government’s recent consultation on microgeneration and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP). The proposals haven’t exactly been given a warm welcome and there are lots of comments like “we have serious concerns about x” and “we urge the DTI to reconsider y“.
One of the biggest criticisms was that the amount of new funding for the LCBP hadn’t been announced, making it difficult to comment on the substance of the programme (i.e. how the money will be shared by different technologies). Well the funding was announced a few days ago and it’s not going to make smooth any ruffled feathers. £30 million pounds over three years – no, wait, make that £28.5 million (£1.5 mil is being brought forward to bridge the gap between the end of the current programmes and the start of the LCBP).
Considering that the current PV grant programme alone had a budget of £31 million over four years, this is disappointing. The government has been making encouraging noises on microgen for a while now and the energy minister, Malcolm Wicks, continued to trumpet the benefits of microgeneration during his announcement :
“The installation of microgeneration products such as micro-turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps are an excellent way for individuals, communities and businesses to make their own contribution to tackling climate change. As these become more widespread they can help to teach children and future generations about the benefits of renewable energy and the new to use our resources more responsibly.”
The Renewable Power Association rightly points out that while the funding “could have been far worse”, this is a missed opportunity. Microgeneration is one of the few technologies which can encourage households to become directly involved in the fight against climate change but for it to be successful, the government needs to provide a clear and supportive investment climate: both in the form of improved funding for developing technologies like PV and reduced regulatory hurdles for near-to-market technologies. So with this low level funding, there is now increased pressure on the DTI to deliver other reforms that will ensure continued investment in microgeneration. Further details on the LCBP should hopefully be announced in the coming weeks.
