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BWEA: Government should support quick grid access for renewables

August 8, 2008

"Important to support EU Commission's wording of the Renewables Directive, 'Connect and Manage' way forward"

BWEA, UK's leading renewable energy association, today called on the Government to support EU Commission's wording of the Renewables Directive. The directive could have long lasting implications on the take up of renewables in the UK and reaching climate change targets. BWEA supports the new Directive containing a duty on member states to introduce priority access 'or equivalent measures' for renewables.

Nic Rigby, Head of BWEA Grid Strategy Group and Head of Strategy at npower renewables, emphasised that the wind industry is firmly behind "Connect and Manage" proposals: "Renewables need speedy and reliable connection to the grid system. The wind industry has long called for a system of 'connect & manage, where clean power from renewable generators, such as wind farms, can get access within time it takes to get planning consent."

"Connect and Manage" would encourage the take up of renewables, as renewable energy suppliers could install capacity knowing that it will be connected as soon as the build-out is finished. According to a recent report 9.3GW of projects were currently waiting to be connected.

"The EU Directive's priority access provision is mainly designed for the continental market, which is structured differently from the UK's. However, unless we get a robust and genuine connect and manage system here in the UK, we will need strong EU legislation to guarantee that the grid is opened up and renewables are not left at the back of the queue," concluded Rigby.

For more information call:

Charles Anglin, BWEA Director of Communications, 020 7689 1966 / 0774 002 3641 or charles@bwea.com

Nick Medic, BWEA Communications Manager, 0207 689 1935 / 0797 701 9933 or nick@bwea.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 400 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.

2. A recent report from the select committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills said 9.3GW of wind power projects were currently waiting to be connected - the equivalent of a new generation of nuclear power station.