Scottish Government to lure UK marine & hydro renewables with extra ROC subsidies
The Scottish Government is attempting to entice potential wave and tidal power projects away from the rest of the UK by radically increasing the subsidies on offer. It is proposing changes to the Renewables Obligation system in Scotland to offer significantly more financial support to marine renewable energy generators than is being proposed for England and Wales.
Friday saw the launch of a consultation suggesting that wave power devices that haven't already received government support should receive five Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for every MWh of electricity they produce. Tidal power systems should receive three ROCs per MWh, the proposals suggest. This compares to just two ROCs being proposed for marine renewable energy systems in the rest of the UK, which are expected to gain Royal Assent within the Energy Bill later this year.
The Scottish Government said the ROC is currently worth around £47 per Megawatt-hour (MWh) of power produced, which would see wave power devices given £235 for every MWh produced under today's prices.
The government in Holyrood said established renewable energy technologies like wind and hydro would continue to receive one ROC per MWh under the new plan. Marine projects that have already received capital or revenue support from the Scottish Government would only be eligible for two ROCs per MWh.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said the move was part of his government's attempts to make Scotland a "world leader" in new marine energy technologies. The Scottish Nationalist Party administration is keen to support renewable energy as it attempts to keep new nuclear plants out of Scotland.
He explained: "Banding the Renewables Obligation will allow us to stimulate increased investment and create new jobs in these embryonic energy technologies. The changes we propose give Scotland a lead over other parts of the UK - we are taking every opportunity to make Scotland the place to develop, test and generate electricity from our huge natural resources. In doing so we can create a new, world leading industry here in Scotland while taking a global role in tackling climate change and reducing emissions."
The consultation concerning the proposed ROC bandings runs until December 12, 2008.
ROCs
The ROC system, which began in Scotland in April 2002, offers renewable energy generators an extra payment on top of the income they receive from electricity sales and the sale of climate change levy exemption certificates.
Under the system, electricity suppliers are required to provide an increasing proportion of their power from renewable sources each year, and must buy ROCs to demonstrate that commitment has been carried out. The Renewable Obligation is 9.1% 2008/09, rising to 15.4% 2015/16, while the current UK Renewable Energy Strategy proposes raising the Obligation to between 30 and 35% by 2020.
Under the Energy Bill currently going through the UK Parliament, the powers to set their own RO banding is being transferred to Scottish ministers. The Scots have already received approval for the idea of ROC bandings differentiating levels of support for established and emerging energy technologies through a consultation held earlier this year. To qualify to receive the higher level of Scottish ROC support, marine generators will have to have devices located within 200 nautical miles of the Scottish coast, directly connected to the Scottish grid.
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British are "bored" with Climate Change
A new energy report suggests that British people are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago.
4 out of 10 britons take no action at all to reduce their household carbon emissions, and twice as many people are now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Experts warn that green fatigue is one of the major reasons as to why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reductions in the mountain of packaging waste. The report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions and environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
The report, by market researchers Mintel, shows that many of Britain's 26 million homes fail to make simple adjustments such as switching off lights, turning down thermostats, and switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The findings also reveal that people are less willing to spend money on energy-efficient appliances than they were five years ago. Analysts believe the recession together with a backlash against "extreme" environmentalist pressure has reduced people's enthusiasm to combat climate change.
The report also found that resistance to saving the planet was greater among men; one in four said they think there is too much concern over the environment, compared with one in six women.
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More information on the 2016 definition of "Zero Carbon".
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps announced additional information about the new definition of "Zero Carbon".
The Government plans to investigate setting up a community energy fund which will be used to pay for district heating and renewable energy schemes.
Developers who pay into the fund will not have to install onsite renewables or microgeneration equipment. Many developers have welcomed the flexibility of paying into a fund rather than grappling with renewables on each site.
However, the full definition of 'zero-carbon' has once again been delayed. This is despite a pre-election promise to get the definition of zero carbon finalised “within weeks” of getting into office.
The new Government Housing Minister has recently announced that the coalition will review the level of on-site renewables required - before publishing the final definition of the standard, which all new homes will have to reach after 2016.
In the announcement, the Minister also re-affirmed his commitment to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016 and confirmed the introduction of the ‘Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard' which requires a minimum standard in relation to insulation levels and air tightness and thermal bridging in buildings.
Zero carbon is required of all Code for Sustainable Homes level six homes. Clarification of what zero carbon will mean is still to be decided.
If you require assistance with your Code for Sustainable Homes level requirements, contact Ecowise - we are a fully accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation.
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
