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MediaPress ReleaseFriday 11th November 2005Industry welcomes Government proposals for capping transmission charges in Scottish Islands; and further enabling microgenerationThe Government today showed broad support for a Private Members Bill which is calling for climate change targets and increased support for microgeneration. Mark Lazarowicz's Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill calls for an annual report on what actions Government is taking to tackle emissions and an update on the implementation of the DTI's microgeneration strategy. The Bill had its second reading in the Commons today and received broad support from the Government, which added two new measures to the Bill. The first new measure would increase the time period of the power contained in section 185 of the Energy Act 2004, which would extend the timeline for adjusted transmission charges in the Scottish Islands from 2014 to 2024. BWEA Head of Grid and Technical Affairs Richard Ford said: "BWEA welcomes the proposal from the DTI to introduce a mechanism for capping transmission charges in the Scottish Islands. However, the legislation that allows such a scheme contains a severe restriction in that any scheme cannot operate beyond 2014. Some applicants for connection to the transmission network are currently being offered connection dates in 2013. In these circumstances any cap on transmission charges would; only provide protection for 1 year. Along with the industry, BWEA has lobbied for an extension to the 2014 deadline and we are delighted that the Government has delivered such prompt proposals to do so. Today's announcement should encourage the development of renewable projects in exactly those areas that have the best wind, wave and tidal resources in the UK." The second new clause would simplify access for smaller, less than 50 kW, generators to Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) by allowing agents to act on behalf of microgenerators and amalgamate their generation output. This would also mean that a sale and buy-back agreement would no longer be required between a generator and an electricity supplier. BWEA Communications and Small Wind Officer, Mari Martiskainen said: "BWEA welcomes the support Government is showing for smaller generators by making it easier for them to have access to the Renewables Obligation and the financial benefits that this will bring. With the right policy support, microgeneration technologies such as small wind turbines have a large potential role to play in our energy mix. By further enabling microgeneration, the Government is showing much welcomed commitment to renewables at all scale." Notes to Editors
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