Cameron backs microgen
The Conservative Party claims it will move the UK away from centralised nuclear power generation in favour of a local microgeneration approach, writes Paul Reeve (pictured) M&E Sustainability's expert on regulatory issues.
Opposition leader David Cameron believes that nuclear power should be “a last resort” with renewables and microgeneration technologies – CHP in particular – providing the bulk of our future energy needs.
The Tories support the EU target of 20 per cent of our energy needs being produced by renewables by 2020.
“I want the Conservative Party to champion a positive response to climate change that creates economic and business opportunities for our country,” he said in a recent speech. “This is how Governor Schwarzenegger is approaching the challenge in California, and it's what we need here.
“I want to start this (green) journey with decentralised energy and micro-generation,” he added. “In other countries, low carbon energy sources have led a process of decentralisation. In the Netherlands, for instance, in little more than a decade, combined heat and power (CHP) became the single largest supplier of UK energy needs.
“I want Britain to adopt micro-generation: small providers, including homes and businesses, producing energy for their own use, using a variety of methods from combined heat and power, to wind to solar photovoltaic power.”
He promised that a Conservative government would introduce a workable system of 'feed-in tariffs', by which people are paid for the energy they produce to stimulate diversity and decentralisation of our power supply, as well as incentivise energy saving.
“In Germany, a feed-in tariff system has seen a far faster growth in renewable energy and the creation of over 250,000 jobs in the wind energy sector alone,” said Mr Cameron.
He claimed that his plans would create a mass market for micro-generation.
“Today, anyone wanting government help to install micro-generators has to grapple with pages of regulations,” he added. “Consumers will be able to monitor how much electricity they are using by installing smart meters that make information readily accessible.”
He quoted UK manufacturers like Worcester Bosch who say they will have CHP boilers with smart meters available for the domestic market soon.
The Tories are also pushing hard for radical reform of planning law.
“We already have the so-called Merton rule which requires developers to incorporate energy generation in new build,” said Mr Cameron. “It's a shame this is under threat from Hazel Blears.”
BENEFITS OF DECENTRALISED ENERGY
According to the Conservatives, a move to decentralised energy will have many benefits:
First, it will help the fight against climate change. Decentralisation is far more energy and carbon-efficient than centralised energy.
Second, it will make a contribution to security that goes beyond the reduced dependence on fossil fuels. “By definition, if we decentralise we will be more secure and less vulnerable,” the party says.
Third, decentralised energy could save money. It will provide a tremendous opportunity for public institutions like NHS Trusts, schools and police forces to develop a new revenue stream by selling electricity to the Grid.
“It is also well suited to social housing and the fuel poor.”
To visit the Conservative Party website click here.