Last week, it was announced that the Government will make £34 million worth of cuts to low-carbon technology. The hardest hit have been the bioenergy, geothermal and wind technologies, announced the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) yesterday.

In an article in the Guardian on 16/07/2010, it was reported that Gaynor Hartnell, Chief executive of the REA (renewable energy association) is urging the Government that it needs to now make some positive announcements following the cuts that were announced last week. Hartnell feels that investments must still be made into the renewable heat incentive (RHI). (Guardian 16/07/2010).

Professor Julia King, a member of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), has spoken of how the Government could succeed in leading the world’s renewable energy market: “with adequate funding, new policies and strengthened delivery arrangements, we would expect UK firms to take leading roles in the development of key technologies, driving down emissions to meet carbon budgets and targets”

Tom Daley, an Executive of the Carbon Trust also states that “good innovation that leverages the private sector investment, and focuses on UK benefits is a must. It will deliver significant economic opportunity for the UK as well as helping us meet our short and long term carbon targets”

Although the coalition Government has made cuts to significant areas of low carbon technology, it seems leaders in the industry are still positive that Great Britain has the capability to succeed in this arena. The Government’s Energy Minister has said that growth is still possible, particularly in sectors of the industry that are rich in jobs. In a report published on the DECC website, Chris Huhne has also joined Dr Norbert Rottgen and Jean-Louis Borloo to discuss Europe’s future in the renewable energy market:

“Europe’s current focus on recovery from recession must not distract us from the urgent question of what kind of economy we want to build”

Their enthusiasm for supporting the industry, and investments in micro-generation and low carbon technology was further confirmed by a push for increasing the current targets of 20% renewably sourced energy by 2020 to 30%: “we need to give our companies the chance to grow domestically while continuing to compete internationally. Moving to a 30% target would result in at least a doubling of low carbon markets (…) much of the new growth would be in jobs-rich sectors like energy saving”

If you are interested in helping Great Britain meet our 2020 targets, and how renewable energy can save you money on your gas and electricity bills, Lucion Energy can be with you every step of the way. From initial planning and design choices for which renewable energy source will most suit you, right through to installation and advice on how Government incentives could benefit you.