Carmichael – Government plans for feed-in tariffs lacks ambition

12.21.41pm GMT Thu 4th Feb 2010

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael has criticised the government for its lack of ambition after the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) this week announced it plans for the feed-in tariffs from domestic renewable energy sources.

Commenting Mr Carmichael said;Alistair Carmichael MP: Orkney & Shetland

“Ministers yesterday unveiled their long awaited policy which had they been more ambitious could have contributed to cutting UK emissions and boosted the domestic renewables energy market. Instead the government maintained its aim of only 2% of our energy to be met from micro-generation by 2020. This ‘aim’ leaves the UK lagging far behind the rest of Europe with the Netherlands producing 40% of its electricity demand from decentralised energy. If this government is serious about small scale, community led energy production which would help families save money and cut carbon emission then it needs to offer greater cash back rates to counter installation costs.

A number of local people have already expressed their disappointment with me about the government’s low ambitions and I have today written to the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband MP asking him to review and upgrade the government targets.”

Additionally, Mr Carmichael has signed parliamentary motion (EDM 276) ‘Feed In-Tariffs and Renewable Energy’ which states;

– ‘is concerned that tariffs proposed by the Government’s Clean Energy Cash back Scheme will mean decentralised renewable electricity is anticipated to contribute just two per cent. of the UK’s electricity by 2020, considers this to be wholly inadequate level of ambition; supports calls for a suitably ambitious tariff which delivers a higher return on investment; and calls of the government to revise the proposed tariffs substantially to increase the level of ambition of the scheme and offer communities, households and businesses a significant role in driving UK renewable energy deployment’.