Support for renewables started with measures aimed at the energy suppliers, such as the Renewables Obligation and the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.

Policies for energy users and decentralised renewables had been modest and sporadic before the government published its Microgeneration Strategy in 2006. A few years thereafter, a more comprehensive portfolio of measures started to emerge.

Renewable Electricity and Heat Tariffs

The first comprehensive measures for energy users will be the Renewable Electricity and Heat Tariffs to be introduced in 2010 and 2011.

As described here, these will comprise two linked measures:

• Renewable electricity tariffs for power generation and
• Tariffs for production of renewable heat and for feeding biomethane into the gas grid.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme was the primary support mechanism for decentralised renewables prior to the introduction of the tariffs.

Zero Carbon Buildings

The measures being adopted to improve the energy standards of buildings will also enhance the use of on-site renewables.

Othe measures for energy users

Several other measures aimed at more efficient use and generation of energy may also stimulate the use of on-site renewable energy, including:

• The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)
• The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)
• The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP)