Environment Law Bulletin - Institute of Environmental Management ...

BiomassDetails of £4.2 million in grants to 11 projectsusing biomass to produce heat forindustrial and domestic consumers havebeen released by the Energy Minister. Theawards constitute support for 7 projects forbioenergy heating installations by the newopportunities fund, which distributesnational lottery money to health, educationand environment projects. Larger scale projectsinvolving industrial heating installationswith a capacity of more than 0.5MW aresupported by capital grants from the DTI.The new awards are part of a total ofapproximately £100 million allocated tobioenergy project from the DTI, the newopportunities fund and DEFRA.(DTI Press Release, 23 January 2003)Solar energyEighteen building projects in England andWales have been awarded a total of £2million in funding to fit photovoltaics toroofs and walls for electricity generationfrom sunlight. The funding will help projectsin the third set of proposals approvedunder the DTI’s £20 million photovoltaic“It is proposed that the electronic certification systemwill be administered by OFGEM and generators willbe able to request a REGO certificate as evidencethey have generated a given amount of electricityfrom renewables.”demonstration programme launched in2002. The latest projects are expected togenerate a maximum of 565kW of electricityat peak times and around 750kWh ofelectricity in a year.(DTI Press Release, 10 March 2003)Renewable energy community schemesA £10 million campaign to encouragehome owners, schools and communitiesacross the UK to install renewable energyschemes has been launched by the DTI. The‘Clear Skies Initiative’ is part of theGovernment’s strategy for boosting the useof renewable energy. It will provide anopportunity for community groups andhome owners to bid for capital grants forrenewable energy schemes. This will besupplemented with measures to increasethe uptake of renewable energy technologies,including training and accreditationfor professional installers.(DTI Press Release, 13 January 2003)Renewables obligationOFGEM has announced that the buy outprice for the second year of RenewablesObligation will be set at £30.51 per MWhup from £30 per MWh for 2002 to 2003.The new rate will apply from 1 April 2003to 31 March 2004 throughout GreatBritain. The buy out price allows electricitysupply companies to make up for deficiencybetween the amount of their obligationand the number of Renewable ObligationCertificates (ROCs) presented.(OFGEM, 13 March 2003)Renewable energyThe DTI has issued a consultation paperseeking views on a Renewable EnergyGuarantee of Origin (REGO) Scheme topartly implement the EU Directive on thepromotion of electricity from renewablesources (2001/77/EC). It is designed towork alongside the existing RenewableObligation Certificates (ROCs) which areavailable to generators producing morethan 0.5MW per month from specifiedrenewable sources. However, the REGO willalso apply to large-scale hydropowerschemes and some energy from wastegeneration. It is proposed that the electroniccertification system will beadministered by OFGEM and generators willbe able to request a REGO certificate asevidence they have generated a givenamount of electricity from renewables. Thecertificate will have no monetary value, butwill guarantee the origin of generation tocustomers throughout the EU. The consultationperiod will end on 30 June 2003.(DTI, March 2003)United Utilities Green Energy Limited hassecured a £10 million loan from theEuropean Investment Bank (EIB) for a rangeof renewable energy projects throughoutEngland and Wales. The projects comprisewind, small scale hydro and landfill gasschemes and represent a combined investmentof £20 million. The EIB has statedEnvironment Law BulletinApril 200334