MPs call for further support for renewables
Businesses and co-operatives must be given more financial support to install medium-scale renewables projects, say MPs.
A report commissioned by the government’s Energy and Climate Change Committee highlights the benefits of renewable energy projects to communities and says a support mechanism and measures must be developed to encourage renewables installations.
Key barriers to development included access to finance and power purchase agreements, grid connection, public opposition and gaining planning permission, the report said.
The committee urged the government to bring forward a proposal to support schemes within the 10-50MW range to incentivise the development of medium-sized projects not currently served by subsidy support, said the committee.
“Although it is unlikely that local energy projects will eliminate the need for larger, centralised power stations completely, with some government support they could provide a significant proportion of the UK’s energy capacity while reducing carbon emissions and increasing efficiency,” said Dr Alan Whitehead MP.