better generation

The Conservative Party will change  the rules of the Clean Energy Cashback Scheme to give existing installers the same level of incentive as new ones, if they get into power. At the moment, Renewable Energy installations made before 15 July 2009 will only receive 9p/kWh of generated electricity when the Feed in Tariff arrives on the 1st April 2010. This is because the Government claim it is in line with the level of financial support received from the Renewables Obligation (RO). A higher rate would simply drive up the costs of the scheme and would not encourage new installations.

There are plenty of people, on the other hand, who disagree with the Government, such as Julie Davenport founder of Good Energy, the renewable energy electricity provider. She believes, “It is outrageous that the new FiT only pays the highest rewards to new generators.” Good Energy have been providing incentives to their electricity generators for the last 5 years and will continue to pay their existing renewable generators 15p/kWh, as “the early adopters of microgen technology should also be recognised for their pioneering attitude and taking a lead”. They will also continue to lobby the government to change their mind.

The Conservatives will clarify their plans in their Green Election manifesto in a few weeks. Therefore, it remains to be seen if this is not merely an attempt to get voters for the upcoming general election. The implications of their proposed changes on funds for the scheme, as well as on meeting the 2020 emissions targets will be eagerly anticipated.