18th November 2009

Following Royal Assent for the Green Energy Bill, which requires the Government to publish a new Microgeneration Strategy within 12 months of it becoming law, the Microgeneration Manifesto today sets out a blueprint of measures for inclusion.

The Manifesto was launched at the Micropower Council 5th Birthday reception in the House of Commons following the Queens speech and was addressed by the Energy Minister, Lord Hunt.

The Microgeneration Manifesto says:

• A step change in greenhouse gas emissions reduction will require widespread and systematic incorporation of microgeneration technologies into both new and existing buildings
• Carbon savings aside, spin-off benefits would include greater energy security, alleviation of fuel poverty and a contribution towards the economic recovery through the creation of ‘green jobs’
• The Microgeneration Manifesto aims to make this a reality by putting forward a blue print for the revision of the UK Microgeneration Strategy
• The key pillars of the Microgeneration Manifesto are cohesive, integrated financial support for microgeneration and energy efficiency measures; comprehensive retro-fitting of microgeneration technologies into existing building stock; clear information for consumers on the options and help available and credible career options throughout the industry.
• Some clear themes throughout the Manifesto include the need to streamline existing policies and integrate new measures seamlessly (e.g. financial incentives, retro-fit); to target problem areas such as the private rental sector and gaps in the green skills base and to send consumers a clear, coherent message on why they should take action and the help that is available.

The four pillars of the Manifesto are:

• Cohesive support, via a coherent financial and fiscal strategy for microgeneration and successful implementation of Clean Energy Cashback
• Clear consumer information, including targeted guidance to ensure that the fuel poor also benefit from policy measures
• Comprehensive retrofit, through Individual Home Emission Reduction Plans and more stringent requirements for private rental and social landlords
• Credible career options designed to fill skill gaps up to 2020 and matching of ‘green training’ with areas suffering from high unemployment and fuel poverty

Dave Sowden, Chief Executive, Micropower Council said: “The Microgeneration Manifesto marks a turning point for the sector and paves the way for a microgeneration mass market breakthrough. A lot of positive steps have been taken over the past five years and we look forward to working with Government and other key stakeholders to formulate a refreshed and updated Microgeneration Strategy that will make microgeneration and significant carbon savings a reality for ordinary people across the UK, stimulating green job creation and putting us in the driving seat of our own energy future.”

The Micropower Manifesto

Further information: Jane Vaus, 020 7924 0795/077480 10447 jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk

NOTES

The term “Microgeneration” broadly refers to a range of technologies that small users, typically householders can use to produce heat or power from renewable or low carbon sources – the next step beyond energy efficiency measures such as insulation.

The government’s own figures suggest that up to 7 million homes could have some form of microgeneration installed by 2020, making it an important contributor to EU targets for renewable energy and reductions in CO2 emissions.

The industry will be launching its Microgeneration Manifesto setting out its views on what the Strategy should contain at a reception in the House of Commons on November 18th following the Queens speech, addressed by the Energy Minister Lord Hunt.

In addition the Sustainable Energy Partnership, a coalition of green NGOs of which the Micropower Council is a member, will launch its Green Energy Charter setting out how to promote green energy, and in doing so to alleviate fuel poverty and secure a diverse, viable and long-term energy supply for the UK. For further information contact Jenny Holland, Association for the Conservation of Energy. 0207 359 8000.

The Green Energy Act was promoted by Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth and received Royal Assent last week.

The Act:

• Defines green energy to include microgeneration and specify a purpose to secure a diverse and viable long term energy supply and to alleviate fuel poverty.
• Requires the government within 12 months to publish a new Microgeneration Strategy. The Micropower Council will be promoting a Microgeneration Manifesto with a list of measures for inclusion, including a financial and fiscal strategy, to be launched at a Parliamentary reception on 18th November following the Queens speech.
• Requires the government by law to fulfil its long-promised commitment to removing the need for certified installations of air source heat pumps and micro-wind turbines below a certain size and noise level to take place in or on domestic premises without planning permission.
• Reviews the case for allowing agricultural and non-residential microgeneration applications to be installed without planning permission.

The Micropower Council is the umbrella voice of the UK microgeneration industry and the only body representing the full cross-section of micropower technologies. www.micropower.co.uk