http://www.ownergy.co.uk/index.php en Copyright 2011 2011-11-25T12:45:02+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/spending_review_impact_on_fits_and_rhi/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/spending_review_impact_on_fits_and_rhi/#When:11:34:30Z COMMONSENSE PREVAILS: RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE GETS GO-AHEAD AND FEED-IN TARIFFS LEFT ALONE FOR NOW London, 20 October, 2010: The Chancellor of the Exchequer today confirmed within the Spending Review that the £860m Renewable Heat Incentive, the first of its kind in the world, will go ahead next year. However, it will now be funded from the public purse and reduced in scope by 20%. At the same time, the Government has made it clear that it is prepared to reduce the Feed-In Tariffs rates ahead of the scheduled review in 2013 if there is higher than expected uptake. Philip Wolfe, chairman of Ownergy and architect of the Feed-In Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes in his former role as Director-General of the Renewable Energy Association, commented: “Though the go ahead for the Renewable Heat Incentive is welcome, the announcement today still leaves the industry in limbo as the Government has not said how it will make 20% savings on the scheme. This must be the first time a green incentive has been cut before it was even introduced! This would not have been necessary if the Government had adopted the more progressive approach of funding the RHI from the sales of unsustainable fossil heating fuels. “The onus is now on the Government to publish the long-delayed response to the consultation as soon as possible. Failure to do so will extend the downturn prompted when the Government axed the grants for renewable heat installations in May. This is proving damaging to the industry, to job creation and to the prospects of meeting our binding renewable energy targets. “Today’s reprieve of the Feed-In Tariffs was also less than whole-hearted. The veiled threat that the Government is prepared to make earlier than planned cuts without stating the criteria or timetable may still undermine investor confidence. Projects can take years from feasibility to completion. The Government cannot be allowed to arbitrarily lower tariff rates at any point without specifying the mechanism by which this would be done. “The Government has left industry with the burden of promoting the scheme . Surely it cannot now threaten to curtail it, if we make it a success.”   Comments 2010-10-21T11:34:30+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_energy_statement_dodges_question_on_future_of_rhi/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_energy_statement_dodges_question_on_future_of_rhi/#When:09:29:01Z In the Energy Statement given yesterday, July 27th, the Government stated that an announcement on renewable heat would be made within this autumn’s spending review. The exact wording being: “The Government is fully committed to taking action on renewable heat. The Government is considering responses to the Renewable Heat Incentive consultation and will set out detailed proposals on how to take forward action on renewable heat through the Spending Review.” Pressed further in questions by MPs, the Secretary of State for Energy, Chris Huhne, made the following comment: “On the renewable heat incentive, the statement is clear about our commitment to renewable heat, which is absolutely essential if we are to meet our target. [...] the country is facing an exceptionally severe fiscal crisis and ... it is inevitable that we deal with these matters in the context of the spending review. However, people in the sector can take considerable comfort from my words today about renewable heat.” Scott McLean, marketing director of Ownergy, the full service provider of renewable energy systems, commented: “The good news is that the Government has positively confirmed its commitment to furthering renewable heat in this country. The bad news is that we are going to have to wait several more weeks before we discover exactly what it plans to do. As we wait, projects of all sizes are being delayed and it is clear from what our installers are telling us that this is causing considerable difficulty within the industry. “We obviously welcome the fact that Chris Huhne  stressed the importance of renewable heat and that he tried to reassure the sector that the Government is positive about supporting renewable heat generation. Unfortunately, it is unclear what the Government is actually considering and therefore why the sector should feel positive. Will the RHI go ahead? Will it be delayed? Will the focus be switched to large heating systems, such as anaerobic digestion and biomass, or to district heating systems? All of these questions are thrown up by the Energy Statement but in no way answered. We hope the Government  understands what such uncertainty and delays will mean in terms of the impact on the 2020 target of increasing renewable heat from 1% to 12% of country’s total heat generation.” Comments 2010-07-28T09:29:01+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_to_make_public_statement_on_rhi_soon/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_to_make_public_statement_on_rhi_soon/#When:09:43:42Z Michael Fallon, MP, this week asked Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his plans are for the future of the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme; and if he will make a statement. Energy Minister, Greg Barker, replied as follows: "The Government are committed to increasing the amount of renewable heat in the UK; this is a crucial part of ensuring we meet our renewables targets, cutting carbon and ensuring energy security. We are currently looking at the renewable heat incentive (RHI) proposals. Clearly there are benefits to the scheme, but we must also consider the impact of the costs, particularly given the financial constraints we must work within and the potential impact that funding options could have on vulnerable people. We are aware that there is uncertainty in the renewable heating industry and want to provide certainty and clarity as quickly as possible, but must make sure that we make the right decision. We will look to make an announcement on the future of the proposed scheme as soon as possible." In response to this update, Ownergy Marketing Director, Scott McLean, said: "“The fact that the Government recognises the need for a public announcement soon is welcomed, as the uncertainty and lack of clarity is not only damaging the industry but is causing deep unease amongst potential consumer and business investors in renewable heating systems. At a time when investment in renewable heat can play such an important role in meeting the UK carbon emission targets, then it is in nobody’s interests for such uncertainty to continue.” Comments 2010-06-17T09:43:42+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/minister_gives_update_on_rhi/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/minister_gives_update_on_rhi/#When:17:34:38Z Ownergy attended a meeting at Portcullis House addressed by Charles Hendry who made some comments about the Renewable Heat Incentive. Scott McLean, Marketing Director, Ownergy commented: "Speaking today at Portcullis House, Charles Hendry, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, confirmed that the Government is looking seriously at the RHI and understands the benefits it can bring but that there are challenges in how to pay for it. This will be welcome words for the industry and all those who have or are considering investing in renewable heating systems as it shows that the scheme is still firmly on the Government's agenda. "We agree that affordability and ensuring that households are not unfairly impacted are very important considerations. Given the uncertainty caused by the withdrawal of the LCBP grants, the Government must publish its consultation response as early as it can to give reassurance to the industry and consumers, businesses and other organisations. By putting forward their ideas on the RHI as soon as possible, the Government can also engage with all interested parties on the best way forward for this important renewable energy carbon reduction scheme." Comments 2010-06-09T17:34:38+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/ownergy_comments_on_olympics_wind_turbine/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/ownergy_comments_on_olympics_wind_turbine/#When:08:48:55Z Following the news that the Olympics Development Authority is scrapping plans to install a wind turbine, Ownergy, the experts of the renewable energy tariffs, comments on the financial benefits the Feed-In Tariffs could bring to develop solar PV installations around the Olympics Park. Ownergy Marketing Director, Scott McLean, said: “The ODA is right to scrap the wind turbine as the wind speed is inadequate in that area. However, there seems to be some concern about the financial viability of the using solar PV panels to provide renewable power for the various buildings and we must therefore point out that the ODA appears to be overlooking the Feed-In Tariffs scheme. “Under the Feed-In Tariffs, which went live on April 1st, the ODA would be paid for the electricity it generates and uses itself as well as an additional payment for any surplus which goes back to the Grid. As individual buildings could have separate solar arrays, size limits are unlikely to be an issue. “Ownergy is already involved in a number of stadium projects around the UK for the installation of the solar PV, so the viability of the scheme is not in question. It is also not too late to incorporate solar PV into the scheme as all of the stadium projects we are involved in are retrofits. Additionally, it is likely that third party investors could be prepared to finance the scheme in return for the guaranteed tariff income for the next 25 years. This would allow the ODA to meet its renewable energy targets without having to fund the installations.”   Comments 2010-06-04T08:48:55+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/grants_for_rhi_axed/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/grants_for_rhi_axed/#When:13:13:03Z As of 6am on Monday, May 24th, the Government  stopped taking fresh applications for grants for renewable heat systems. These were available under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. It was always expected that this funding would be removed and Ownergy had been advising customers for some time to move quickly to take advantage of the arrangement whereby the Government was part paying for a system which would then pay the owner a healthy return under the Renewable Heat Incentive. All existing grant offers that have been made, even if not paid, will be honoured by the Government. The Department of Energy and Climate Change closed the LCBP funding as part of the new Government's £6.3bn departmental savings cuts. Scott McLean, marketing director of Ownergy, commented: "It is a shame that the funding has closed 10 months before the Renewable Heat Incentive goes live on April 1st 2011 as it was a good incentive to build momentum of installations ahead of that date. However, we always knew this would happen and that there would not be any warning in advance - the same happened to LCBP grants for renewable electricity installations ahead of the Feed-In Tariffs going live. "This shouldn't be seen as bad news though as the Renewable Heat Incentive was always designed to be incredibly financially attractive without the need for any installation grants. Nor do we see it as any indication that the Renewable Heat Incentive is under threat as this move was always anticipated." Comments 2010-05-24T13:13:03+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/feed-in_tariffs_investment_returns_recognised/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/feed-in_tariffs_investment_returns_recognised/#When:16:18:21Z A report in New Energy World Network says that: The UK’s feed-in tariffs (FITs) will generate up to ten per cent in pre-tax index-linked returns for the solar industry, even before today’s immature installation infrastructure reduces costs, according to a research note by investment banking group Nomura Code. Comments, Articles 2010-03-26T16:18:21+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_to_announced_how_rgi_will_be_paid_for/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/government_to_announced_how_rgi_will_be_paid_for/#When:13:16:37Z PUBLIC INTEREST IN RENEWABLE HEAT WILL JUSTIFY BUDGET DAY ANNOUNCEMENT London, 22nd March, 2010: Within the Budget Speech, the Government has stated that it will clarify how the world’s first payment scheme for renewable heat generation will be paid for. The Renewable Heat Incentive is a fundamental component of the UK’s renewable energy strategy but uncertainty of how it will be paid for has caused understandable hesitation. However, with online enquiries increasing week-by-week and with considerable interest shown by the public at the Ideal Home Show over the weekend, it is clear that the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme should be an overwhelming success. Philip Wolfe, managing director of Ownergy, the full service provider of renewable energy systems, commented: “When people realise that they will get paid for the renewable heat they generate and use themselves, it is a no brainer. However, the last major piece in the puzzle is how this scheme will be paid for. All this will hopefully he cleared up this Wednesday and the Government must not shy away from doing so. “The Government’s own calculations show that the Renewable Heat Incentive should boost the UK’s renewable heat generation from just 1% today to 12% by 2020 and in so doing, make a massive contribution to our legally binding 15% renewable energy target. Evidence from the Ideal Home Show and the volume of enquiries and visitors we receive on our Renewable Heat Incentive information site, clearly shows that the interest is there and these targets really can be met. “Homeowners, businesses, farmers, even church parishioners are keenly interested as the Renewable Heat Incentive is for any property regardless of its size. By financially incentivising  people do go renewable, everyone wins. The pain of winter heating bills can be turned into winter heating income meaning the property owner benefits financially and the country benefits environmentally.” For more information on the Renewable Heat Incentive, go to www.rhincentive.co.uk Comments 2010-03-23T13:16:37+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/deadline_looms_for_registering_for_ro/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/deadline_looms_for_registering_for_ro/#When:09:58:05Z OWNERS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS HAVE JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER WITH OFGEM FOR PAYMENTS SCHEME London, 17 March, 2010: Owners of renewable energy systems installed before July 15th 2009 have just two weeks left to register with OFGEM for the Renewables Obligation (RO) or they will miss out forever on being paid for the renewable electricity they generate. The March 31st deadline was imposed by the Government in early February following the finalisation of the Feed-In Tariffs scheme. Only by moving to the RO will renewables owners qualify to move to the Feed-In Tariffs scheme at the lower 9p/kWh rate introduced by the Government. Ownergy, the full service provider of renewable energy systems, launched a service in February to assist such owners move over to the RO and then onto the Feed-In Tariffs. Philip Wolfe, managing director of Ownergy, commented: “Originally we feared that everyone who had installed renewable power systems prior to July 15th last year would miss out on the Feed-In Tariffs but this turned out not to be the case. However, there is not long to act and while the 9p/kWh rate is a lot lower than the full Feed-In Tariffs, it is better than the deals that most renewable energy system owners will currently be on. “Over the past month we have been inundated by confused and concerned renewables owners who we have assisted in the transition to the ROs as the required step to qualify for the Feed-In Tariffs. There is still time if they act quickly and our service does take on all the hassle of transferring over to the Feed-In Tariffs so that the property owners can continue to enjoy the benefits of generating their own electricity. Like many others, of course, we advised the Government to make all existing systems fully eligible for the tariffs – then all of this palaver could have been avoided.” Comments 2010-03-19T09:58:05+00:00 http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/hydropower_hotspots/ http://www.ownergy.co.uk/site/hydropower_hotspots/#When:15:35:01Z The Environment Agency today published a map of 26,000 sites in England and Wales that are deemed suitable for small scale hydro schemes. Together they could generate 1% of the UK's energy requirements and owners of such installations will earn up to 20p/kWh under the Feed-In Tariffs scheme from April 1st. To find out more about hydro-power, go to our page on the subject. To see the Environment Agency's map, go to this page on the Environment Agency's website. Comments 2010-03-08T15:35:01+00:00