Archived press release

Feed-in tariff review will undermine green energy investment

7 February 2011

Responding to the Government's comprehensive review of the feed-In tariffs scheme announced today, Friends of the Earth's Energy Adviser Alan Simpson said:

"Feed-in tariff's have been a huge success - the Government should be planning to expand the scheme, not holding a knee-jerk review aimed at applying the financial brakes.

"This review is exactly the kind of move that will kill off the confidence of investors who have flocked to take advantage of the scheme.

"The UK lags way behind the rest of Europe on small-scale green energy systems - Ministers should treble our targets for powering our homes and communities with green power, rather than trying to prune them.

"Urgent action is needed to tackle the twin threats of rising fuel prices and global climate change caused by our reliance on gas, coal and oil - feed-in tariffs have a key role to play in building a low-carbon future."

Notes to editors:

1.    The latest figures show that the Department for Energy and Climate Change may not meet its targets for the number of new household installations of green energy projects projected for the first year of the scheme. Only 40MW of new generating capacity has been added so far, yet, Germany has installed an extra 6GW in the same time due to their feed-in tariff scheme.

2.    Friends of the Earth believes that if the government wants to ensure that the benefits of feed-in tariff payments are reaped by households, farmers and communities it could attach planning conditions to large solar array proposals, requiring at least 50% local social ownership.

3.    Friends of the Earth believes that if the government wishes to adjust the levels of payments which are given to different sized projects, then a 1MW threshold on the opening Solar PV tariff rate would ensure that the majority of the work was still directed at the domestic, social and commercial sectors.

4.    Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust