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Budget bonus for microgeneration

22nd March 2006

The microgeneration industry today warmly welcomed Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget announcement that an additional £50 million will be available to develop microgeneration technologies under the new Low Carbon Buildings Programme. The Government intends for this to be an opportunity for extra money to be spent by local authorities, schools, and other public bodies using their bulk purchasing capability in order to boost mass production and accelerate reductions in cost of mass market microgeneration technologies.

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme is aimed at householders, communities and large scale projects which install microgeneration technologies such as small wind turbines, solar panels, ground source heat pumps and micro-combined heat and power.

BWEA CEO Marcus Rand said:

"This is fantastic news for the rapidly developing small wind sector. We are confident that the huge public interest in small wind will ensure this additional fund is used to the full. This additional allocation for microgeneration demonstrates that the Government is realising the potential of this sector and giving it the weight it rightly deserves".

Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council said:

"This is a real boost to the microgeneration industry. We have long been putting the case for market transforming policies of this nature. We are very pleased the government is taking such a strong interest in the scope for microgeneration to reduce carbon, save consumers money, and change attitudes in the way people regard their own use of energy".

The Department of Trade and Industry is due to publish its Microgeneration Strategy next week which will set out details of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme and how the Government will remove barriers to microgeneration, including metering and planning regulation.

Meanwhile BWEA has launched a new online resource for members of the public and businesses who want to investigate the possibility of having their own domestic wind turbine. BWEA's one-stop shop (www.bwea.com/small) is a comprehensive guide to small wind energy and provides information ranging from technologies available through planning and grid issues to FAQs and case studies.

For more information please contact:

Mari Martiskainen, Communications & Small Wind Officer BWEA, on 020 7689 1935 or mari@bwea.com

Jane Vaus, Head of Media & External Affairs Micropower Council, on 077480 10447 or jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

More detail on the Budget is available at

• www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/budget_06/budget_report/bud_bud06_repindex.cfm (Chapter 7). "Budget 2006 announces a further £50 million for DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme with the aim of encouraging manufacture at higher scale leading to lower costs. This will help fund the installation of microgeneration technologies in a range of buildings including schools, social and local authority housing, businesses and public buildings."
• For more information on the Microgeneration Strategy consultation, visit the DTI's Microgeneration Strategy consultation site at www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-1504.html, or see BWEA's response at www.bwea.com/pdf/Microgeneration_Strategy.pdf
• In November 2005, the Government announced £30 million over the next three years to fund microgeneration under the new Low Carbon Buildings Programme. The previous grant schemes of £43.5 million were available through Clear Skies and the PV Major Demonstration Programme.
• A recent poll by ICM for the Guardian showing that 28% of people would consider installing a domestic wind turbine to further protect the environment. ICM Guardian Poll, February 2006, is available at www.icmresearch.co.uk
• BWEA is the UK's leading renewable energy association, representing over 300 companies active in the sector. With 27 years' experience, BWEA is leading the UK debate on wind energy and marine renewables. BWEA's specialist team provides essential information and support, and lobbies on behalf of its members on key challenges facing these dynamic industries. Visit www.bwea.com/small for further information on small wind turbines.
• The Micropower Council is an industry body of companies, Trade Associations, Professional Institutions and NGOs with interests in the promotion of microgeneration. Visit www.micropower.co.uk for further details.