The Renewable Energy Association represents the UK's renewable energy industry, covering renewable power, heat and transport.
The Renewable Energy Association represents the UK's renewable energy industry, covering renewable power, heat and transport.
The REA was established in 2001, not-for-profit trade association, to represent British renewable energy producers and promote the use of renewable energy in the UK. The REA endeavours to achieve the right regulatory framework for renewables to deliver an increasing contribution to the UK’s electricity, heat and transport needs.
Download a pdf on our Objectives and Values at the bottom of this page.
Our membership is active across the whole spectrum of technologies and renewable energy applications electric power, heat, CHP, transport biofuels and biomethane to grid (“green gas”). They comprise generators, project developers, fuel producers and distributors, equipment manufacturers and distributors and service providers. Members range in size from major multi-nationals to sole traders. The Solar Trade Association is affiliated to the REA, and together the two have a combined membership of over 960 members, making us by far the largest renewable energy industry association in the UK.
Go to the joining instructions in the membership section.
The REA’s main objective is to secure the best legislative and regulatory framework for expanding renewable energy production in the UK. We undertake policy development and provide input to government departments, agencies, regulators, NGOs and others. Other services include:
We also host the annual British Renewable Energy Awards
The Association sponsors the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme. The REAL Assurance Scheme has been set up by the Renewable Energy Association. It aims to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers wishing to buy or lease small generation units for their home, for a community building or for a small business. REAL membership is a sign that the supplier has agreed to abide by the high standards as set out in our Consumer Code. This Code is backed by the Office of Fair Trading as part of its self-regulation initiative, the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. The REAL logo is a symbol of professional excellence.
The REA deals with broad renewables policies, but also covers sector-specific issues. We have set up a number of Sector Groups, some looking at individual technologies, others focused on cross cutting issues.
As of May 2011 the REA Solar power group merged with the already well established Solar Trade Association. With 425 corporate members it is by far the largest and most influential trade association in the sector. The STA is of particular relevance to any organisation with an interest in Solar PV or Solar Thermal, and particularly those involved in the design, manufacture, installation, maintenance or distribution. For more information visit the Solar Trade Association website.
A Board, elected by the membership and the Sector Groups, directs the Association’s activities. A full-time executive team handles operational, policy, and communication issues, based at our conveniently located office in central London. We also retain a number of specialist advisors with industry expertise in individual sectors, to support the activities of the Sector Groups and policy development in general.
The REA is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Articles of Association can be found here. The REA is primarily funded from member subscriptions.
For quite some time I have been puzzled as to the passivity of the whole of the electricity supply industry over what is coming down the tracks on EMR. I think I know why our sector has been so quiet, and the sentiment is this: EMR is primarily for nuclear...
Fears that solar PV is no longer viable are wholly misplaced All four major trade associations representing domestic solar PV – the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) [1], the Micropower Council (MPC) [2], the Renewable Energy Association (REA) [3] and the Solar Trade Association (...