Feed-In-Tariffs could boost production of renewable energy in Wales

3.07.08pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 31st Mar 2008

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, is backing the use of Feed-in-tariffs to boost the production of renewable energy in the UK.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat manifesto last year contained a pledge to lobby the UK Government for a minimum price guarantee for all individuals and businesses that export excess renewable energy to the Grid. Taking action on this pledge Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates comments:

"I believe feed-in-tariffs could provide a huge incentive for the adoption of renewable energy in Wales. They have helped increase the use of renewable energy technologies across Europe - Germany for example has seen a real breakthrough in renewable energy production and has a far larger economy than our own and Denmark now has 20% of its electricity produced from renewable sources."

In Germany energy producers are required by law to pay a set premium to anyone who produces electricity. This premium is nearly three times the cost of what consumers actually pay for their electricity and the price is guaranteed until 2024. As a result Germany now has the world's fastest growing PV market with over 300,000 PV systems installed, generating around 3GW of electricity per year from solar energy.

"Feed-in-tariffs have immense potential" adds Mick. "They guarantee a set price for anyone who produces their energy from a renewable source. This encourages people to install microgeneration technologies on their homes, as it lowers the pay back time and offers the potential to make a profit.

"At a time when energy prices continue to rise and many people are living in fuel poverty, feed-in-tariff could bring a huge benefit to consumers across the UK.

"I have written to the Minister Malcolm Wicks and Jane Davidson for details of any discussions held between the Welsh Assembly Government and Westminster regarding the introduction of feed in tariffs. I have also asked whether any assessment has been made of the potential for feed-in tariffs to increase the production of renewable energy in Wales.

"If we are to tackle climate change and meet the EU target of 20% electricity from renewables by 2020, as well as our own national targets, then we must do everything possible to encourage renewable energy generation in the UK, as the UK is currently at the bottom of the EU renewables league."