Stunell Champions Solar Power
April 5, 2005 11:17 AM
Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, has called for the Government to reverse their decision to cut grants for new solar power schemes.
The cuts end a grant allocation scheme for solar power, which harnesses sunlight to generate electricity, officially planned to run until 2012.
Andrew Stunell MP said:
"Climate change is the biggest issue facing us around the planet. This complete U-turn in Government policy will slow down progress on tackling that, and will be very damaging to the future of the solar power industry.
"This is yet another Government failure in a long list of broken promises on renewable energy. Pulling out of an investment scheme that was promised until 2012 is a disgrace."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1) The 2003 Energy White Paper contained clear pledges to implement a "2002-2012 solar PV programme in line with our competitors". The Prime Minister highlighted his own personal commitment to the solar PV industry by appearing on the rooftop of Solar Century for a photo call prior to his major speech on the environment only last September.
2) In answer to a recent Parliamentary Question (08.03.05), the Energy Minister, Mr. Mike O'Brien, stated:
"The Major PV Demonstration Programme is due to end in March 2006. Grants are expected to be paid up to March 2007. The Department will continue its support for PV through a "low carbon buildings" programme. The low carbon buildings programme is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. The programme is expected to begin operating in 2006-07. "
This "low Carbon Buildings" programme has an undefined budget, uncertain start date and will not be committed to solar power.
3) See the Renewable Power Association, www.r-p-a.org.uk for more details.
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