News
UK's leading renewable energy associations to stay separate
BWEA & REA will continue to collaborate on common policy
Friday 17 November 2006
Following extensive discussions, it has been decided that the UK’s leading renewable energy associations – the British Wind Energy Association and the Renewable Energy Association – will not merge at the present time.
BWEA Chief Executive Maria McCaffery MBE commented:
“It has become increasingly clear that the practical and administrative requirements of a merger would distract us from the key issues facing the renewables industry at this crucial period in delivering the Government’s 2010 target and driving forward a strong UK market for future wind and marine developments.
Over the course of the next three to five years, the need for a strong voice for wind energy and other renewables is key to removing some of the barriers to the speedy deployment of projects and it is felt that at this point in time this will be best served by keeping our Associations separate. Our merger discussions with the REA have served to strengthen our working relationship for the future. As in the past, wherever both organisations have seen a benefit in collaboration and partnership the BWEA will continue to engage and work closely with the REA to provide the best possible support to our members, the current consultation on proposed changes to the Renewables Obligation being a case in point.”
Philip Wolfe, REA Chief Executive, said:
“We look forward to continued close co-operation on areas of common interest, including the current Energy Review consultations, integration of our marine renewables activities, and the important role of wind power within the broader UK renewable energy mix”.
He added: “We still support the principle of integrating our activities at some suitable juncture in the future”.
For further information contact Alison Hill, BWEA Head of Communications, on 020 7689 1966 / 07956 859 749 / alison@bwea.com
Notes to editors
The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) was established in 1978 and is the representative body for companies active in the UK wind energy market. Its membership has grown rapidly over recent years and now stands at over 325 companies. See www.bwea.com
The Renewable Energy Association was established in 2001 and now numbers over 450 companies, active across the entire range of renewable energy technologies and applications. See www.r-e-a.net
Both the Government’s Energy Review and the Stern Review published in October have highlighted the need for a major increase in the contribution of renewables to the global energy mix. The UK has been supporting renewable electricity generation for some time through the Renewables Obligation and is due to introduce a Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation in 2008. The industry is pressing for similar support measures for renewable heat. See http://www.r-e-a.net/article_default_view.fcm?section=1&articleid=1852
Wind energy has now started a major expansion in the UK and is expected to be the single greatest contributor to the Government targets for 10% of electricity supplies to be met by renewables by 2010. Onshore wind alone could meet over half of this target, according to BWEA’s analysis of the sector conducted as part of the Government's Energy Review. See www.bwea.com/energyreview
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