Renewable Energy Association
Press Release
09 February 2012
Immediate Release

REA welcomes DECC’s ambition, but expresses concerns about the details

REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell gives an initial response to today’s Feed-in Tariff Consultation

“The Government certainly needed to take steps to stabilise the Feed-in Tariff and we welcome this consultation. The ultimate aim should be tariffs that deliver a reasonable and stable rate of return and which fall in line with cost reductions in technology. Whether the Government has got those calculations right, is another matter. The solar tariffs fall so steeply that by July this year they could be lower than those for wind and hydro. It is a tall order – and solar companies have been vocal in their disbelief."

“I do think we have seen a change of ambition for solar, however. The Government seems to have accepted that it has an important role to play and DECC seems genuinely keen to work with the industry to ensure that it can deliver on its huge potential.”

“Greg Barker wants the industry to change its mind-set on the meaning of “stability”. He talked about this when I interviewed him for REA news last week. See the interview on page 15 of REA news, at: http://www.r-e-a.net/resources/rea-publications”

A more complete response considering the details of the decisions and proposals will follow in due course.

                                                                     ENDS


For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

REA Press Office: 02079 810 856, or

Name: Stuart Pocock
Title: Technical Director, REA
Tel: 02079 253 581

For questions specifically pertaining to the economic viability of solar PV:

Name: Ray Noble
Title: PV Specialist, REA
Tel: 07979 706277


Notes to Editors

1. The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and renewable gas. It is the largest renewable trade association in the UK, with 960 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders.