9th October 2006

The micropower industry today welcomed the energy regulator’s proposals to make it easier for consumers wanting to install and use micropower technologies. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) concluded a consultation process lasting more than a year with proposals to streamline the electricity industry’s interface with customers and remove a number of regulatory barriers.

Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council, said: “The micropower industry welcomes Ofgem’s commitment to playing its part in removing regulatory barriers to the uptake of micropower technologies.

“Ofgem’s proposals are set to help by encouraging a “one stop shop” for customers in their interface with the electricity industry; removing a significant barrier to energy services, helping to ensure customers get paid appropriately for surplus electricity; allowing micropower customers to access the support schemes they are entitled to; and challenging electricity distributors who charge micropower customers extra.

“The regulator has a key role to play in the wider government strategy for the micropower industry, and we look forward to continued constructive working with Ofgem as it implements this set of proposals.”

For further information contact: Jane Vaus, 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 or at jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk

Notes to Editors

• The Micropower Council was the prime mover behind the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act, a Private Members Bill promoted by Mark Lazarowicz MP which removes many of the barriers to the greater uptake of microgeneration including a scheme to reward customers with surplus electricity to sell, a key issue identified in Ofgem’s document.
• The Ofgem decision document ‘Ofgem and Microgeneration: The Next Steps’ can be found at www.ofgem.gov.uk
• A report by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) for the Government last year, showed that that microgeneration could deliver 40% of electricity needs by 2050