REA welcomes Nick Clegg’s vision of Scotland’s renewable energy future   Date: 12 March 2012 16:56   Deputy PM calls for “nothing short of a green economic renaissance for Scotland” The REA welcomes the prominence given to renewables by Nick Clegg in his speech to the Scottish Liberal Democrat Par...   Read More

REA responds to KPMG/AF Consult report on costs of wind power   Date: 05 March 2012 15:09   Responding to the KPMG/AF Consult report, REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell comments: “It is not just a question of finding the cheapest way to save carbon. A secure energy future is one where th...   Read More

Bioenergy evidence session dispels some biofuels myths   Date: 24 February 2012 12:30   Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Committee today heard that UK-grown biofuels are among the most environmentally sound in the world, and have a key role to play in the UK’s energy mix. Indust...   Read More

Select Committee’s Future of Marine Renewables report is welcome, but inconsistent   Date: 21 February 2012 16:28   The REA welcomes ECCC report’s acknowledgement of the potential of marine renewables, but questions the logic of its targets The Energy and Climate Change Committee has acknowledged in a report pub...   Read More

REA welcomes DECC’s ambition, but expresses concerns about the details   Date: 10 February 2012 15:35   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 th...   Read More

REA applauds Government for standing firm on wind power   Date: 07 February 2012 16:58   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, responds to calls from 100+ MPs for Ed Davey to reign back on wind power “Onshore wind is one of the most cost-effective renewa...   Read More

REA questions analysis which indiscriminately demonises all biofuels   Date: 06 February 2012 14:35   REA’s Head of Renewable Transport Clare Wenner explains how good biofuels can help to de-carbonise transport and feed the world The REA is disappointed by the recent briefing prepared by Friends of...   Read More

UK AD industry needs tough talk in Brussels to get EU ‘End of Waste’ proposals into shape   Date: 30 January 2012 15:10   REA and Defra are working together to change proposals which threaten to undermine the developing UK digestate market The UK anaerobic digestion (AD) industry is under major threat from proposed ch...   Read More

DECC Appeal defeat must draw a line under the FITs fiasco   Date: 26 January 2012 16:21   REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell comments on the outcome of DECC’s FITs Appeal DECC has lost its appeal against December’s Judicial Review, meaning that it has to resort to its Plan B, announced...   Read More

REA welcomes DECC’s solar ‘Plan B’   Date: 25 January 2012 16:33   REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell comments on DECC’s clarification on PV Feed-in Tariffs DECC has laid before Parliament its ‘Plan B’: an order to lower solar PV Feed-in Tariffs with effect from ...   Read More

REA responds to DECC’s FITs Judicial Review appeal outcome   Date: 13 January 2012 14:29   REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell comments on the outcome of DECC’s initial hearing DECC is currently in the Court of Appeal hoping to be granted leave to appeal December’s Judicial Review decisi...   Read More

REA tells Huhne: ‘Legal wrangles must not jeopardise future of the FITs scheme’   Date: 09 January 2012 15:13   As DECC confirms the FIT budget is already committed, the REA and its members express concerns about the implications of the ongoing solar FITs legal battle Although the FITs Judicial Review has be...   Read More

A Court Case Is Currently Being Heard on the Legality of the Abrupt Feed-in Tariff Changes   Date: 04 January 2012 14:43   REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell comments… “Whilst all companies installing PV will have been appalled at having a tariff reduction imposed with six weeks’ notice, the majority of our members fe...   Read More

STA Welcomes ECCC/EAC Solar Inquiry Report   Date: 23 December 2011 14:42   Joint Committee Urges Government to Consider Budget Flexibility and Abandon EPC-C The Solar Trade Association (STA) has largely welcomed the findings of the Energy and Climate Change Committee/Envi...   Read More

YouGov Poll Shows Public Want Solar   Date: 21 December 2011 15:30   Government cuts to Feed-in Tariff out of step with public opinion Commenting on the Sunday Times YouGov public opinion poll which showed huge support for solar power, STA Chairman Howard Johns said...   Read More

REA Welcomes DECC’s EMR White Paper Update but Calls for Clarification on Energy Performance Standards   Date: 19 December 2011 14:59   Comments from the REA’s Chief Executive, Gaynor Hartnell, on DECC’s Electricity Market Reforms White Paper Technical Update Overall “Some renewable projects take more than five years from incep...   Read More

Solar Letter & Petition Delivered to No. 10   Date: 14 December 2011 13:25   Delivery: Tuesday 13th December, 1pm, 10 Downing Street, Westminster REA Director Gaynor Hartnell and STA Chair Howard Johns (also spokesperson for the Cut Don’t Kill Campaign) will be available fo...   Read More

Nationwide Backing for Solar Industry Appeal to Number Ten   Date: 13 December 2011 13:35   Letter signed by over 200 prominent organisations and a 17,000-strong petition to be delivered by hand to Downing Street today REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell, STA Chairman Howard Johns, Friend...   Read More

REA Response to the Committee on Climate Change Bioenergy Review   Date: 07 December 2011 15:20   Comments from the REA’s Chief Executive, Gaynor Hartnell, on the Committee on Climate Change’s Bioenergy Review Overall “We welcome the Committee’s acknowledgement that bioenergy has a key role ...   Read More

REA comments on Treasury Press Release – UK Government announces extra £100 million for Scottish renewables   Date: 14 November 2011 16:00   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, comments on Treasury press release “The release of Levy surplus money for renewables in Scotland is a welcome step. Each year t...   Read More

Solar Power Lights Up Economic Gloom   Date: 14 October 2011 15:19   REA analysis shows employment in the UK solar power sector is likely to greatly exceed previous estimates. The REA has carried out an analysis of REAL Assurance Scheme membership data - which had f...   Read More

REA launches “Back Biomass” campaign   Date: 05 September 2011 11:01   Today the Renewable Energy Association launched a new campaign urging Government to ‘Back Biomass’ heat and power in its proposals on the incentives regime for renewable energy: www.backbiomass.co.uk....   Read More

Invite to Renewable Energy Association and Solar Trade Association Commons Event   Date: 23 June 2011 11:24   Solar Power - Understanding The UK Opportunity Wednesday 29th June, 2:30pm-5:00pm, Attlee Suite, Portcullis, House of Commons rsvp events@solar-trade.org.uk. Internationally solar moves so fast ...   Read More

Vision for Worlds first dedicated Green Investment Bank published   Date: 25 May 2011 13:30   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association said “It is encouraging to see biomass power explicitly mentioned in the “Update on the design of the Green Investment Bank” pub...   Read More

REA reveals shortlist for June’s British Renewable Energy Awards   Date: 04 May 2011 13:41   The creativity and ingenuity of the UK renewables industry ensures there are a wealth of companies and individuals who have achieved something outstanding during 2010. The British Renewable Energy Awa...   Read More

European biofuels lead the way on sustainability   Date: 13 April 2011 11:39   The Renewable Energy Association welcomed a report published today by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. The report shows that biofuels can be produced ethically and make a strong contribution to envi...   Read More

Budget of limited significance for Renewables, but Huhne flags key issue   Date: 24 March 2011 13:50   In response to the Budget today, REA’s Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell said: "Unfortunately, there was nothing really significant in the budget to alleviate growing anxiety about the pace of delive...   Read More

Action Needed to Restore & Accelerate Renewables Growth   Date: 23 March 2011 13:38   REA below sets out the key actions necessary to ensure the UK meets its binding EU target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. The UK has recently scored :-( for renewable electricity and :-I for renewabl...   Read More

Renewables sector prepares to celebrate the industry’s premier event of the year   Date: 23 March 2011 13:21   The British Renewable Energy Awards, organised by the Renewable Energy Association, were inaugurated in 2006 to celebrate outstanding achievements in the British renewable energy sector across all tec...   Read More

REA comments on increased Feed In Tariff for AD   Date: 23 March 2011 12:43   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA, comments on Anaerobic Digestion tariff changes: “We don’t anticipate much increase in uptake of small scale AD, with these meagre tariff increases. Tha...   Read More

The Coalition Government makes horrendous strategic mistake over Solar   Date: 23 March 2011 12:05   The nervously-awaited Fast Track consultation on the Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) was published today. There have been impressive cost reductions in solar PV since the policy was introduced, last April, but...   Read More

National Renewable Energy Action Plans:   Date: 15 March 2011 11:45   “Positive outlooks but more is needed on support schemes “ The REPAP2020 consortium – composed of EREC, Eufores, national RES associations, Fraunhofer ISI, the Technical University of Vienna and Be...   Read More

DECC Empowers Renewables to Meet UK’s Urgent Heat Security Challenge   Date: 10 March 2011 12:01   Renewables are set to step in to meet the UK’s biggest need for energy - heat. The UK’s renewable heat industry is poised for rapid growth following the announcement by DECC today of the ambitious Ren...   Read More

Major Environmental NGOs and Industry ask Government to 'join the 21st Century' and increase its solar ambition.   Date: 09 March 2011 13:02   The solar industry has joined forces with WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth to call on the Government to increase its solar ambitions in an advert in this week's New Statesman. The one page adv...   Read More

Renewable Heat Incentive Briefing   Date: 09 March 2011 11:05   The Renewable Energy Association which represents the UK renewable heat industry is expecting the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) proposals to be published later this week, as reported in the media thi...   Read More

UK energy groups combine to bring ‘green gas’ certainty   Date: 07 March 2011 11:26   New certification scheme to bring confidence to consumers Some of the UK’s leading energy providers have today supported the launch of a scheme that will bring certainty to consumers that the gas ...   Read More

Solar companies to unite under re-launched Solar Trade Association   Date: 02 March 2011 11:50   The two Trade Bodies representing solar energy in the UK are in the process of merging their memberships to form a 400 strong Association to champion the industry.  Some detail of the arrangeme...   Read More

Rethink Solar URGENTLY: REA Solar Fact Checker   Date: 02 March 2011 11:25   Solar technology is not understood in the UK and outdated and incorrect assumptions risk derailing a live and exceptional green growth opportunity.  Read REA’s Solar Fact Checker and rethink solar ...   Read More

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)   Date: 02 March 2011 11:10   I make no apology for writing to you again about the Renewable Heat Incentive. In the recent statement on   Read More

REA and Friends of the Earth call for clarity on Feed-In Tariffs, to safeguard solar jobs   Date: 16 February 2011 11:30   The uncertainty created by the FIT review announcement risks destabilising recruitment in the solar power sector, unless stability is quickly restored to the scheme. Read More

European Photovoltaic Industry asks British Government to think twice how it will review its Feed-in Tariff   Date: 14 February 2011 12:14   London, 11 February 2011 - In view of the announced anticipated review of the UK Feed-in Tariff one year ahead of schedule, the European PV association asks the UK government to take all the necess...   Read More

Solar Power Group Trip to China 2011 20th – 25th February, Shanghai   Date: 01 February 2011 12:31   During his trade visit to China in November, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We want Britain’s best known companies, best known names, coming here to deepen and expand trading and economic relat...   Read More

REA responds: The Future of Food and Farming report   Date: 25 January 2011 10:29   The report on "The Future of Food and Farming" put out today by the Government Office for Science makes a valuable contribution to a debate that policy makers have been avoiding for too l...   Read More

Invitation: Deep Geothermal Seminar - The UK Opportunity   Date: 06 January 2011 11:23   Monday 17th January, 4:15pm to 6:00pm Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, House of Commons (above Westminster Underground Station)  rsvp lgreene@r...   Read More

REA responds: Faster review of support for renewable electricity to provide investor certainty   Date: 09 December 2010 11:05   Responding to today’s announcement on the faster review of support under the Renewables Obligation, Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA said: “We’re pleased that Read More

REA welcomes publication of Government’s AD framework document   Date: 06 December 2010 11:40   In response to the publication of the Government’s Anaerobic Digestion framework document, Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA said: “This document signals that ...   Read More

Renewable connection project benefits from Low Carbon Networks Fund Competition   Date: 30 November 2010 11:46   REA Chief Executive, Gaynor Hartnell, commented on the announcement of the winning applications for Low Carbon Networks Fund, saying:   “Central Networks is taking a stra...   Read More

REA Biogas welcomes new report on Synthetic Natural Gas   Date: 18 November 2010 12:10   In response to the report on synthetic natural gas, produced from renewable energy sources, referenced below:- Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA said: ...   Read More

Shadow cast over field PV arrays   Date: 11 November 2010 17:24   DECC Minister, Greg Barker, commented in parliamentary questions this morning that the government had inherited a feed in tariff system that had failed to anticipate PV field arrays.  He said t...   Read More

REA defends ‘exceptional’ British biofuels   Date: 09 November 2010 17:36   Responding to the NGO report on biofuels, the Renewable Energy Association underlined figures from the Renewable Fuels Agency on the first two years of the RTFO (2008 to 2010) which shows that UK b...   Read More

Industry shows healthy growth rates, welcomes Minister’s support and urges Government to provide policy stability   Date: 28 October 2010 17:00   On the day that Greg Barker, Minister for Decentralised Energy endorses “Feed-In Tariffs” for solar power, the industry releases figures showing how the industry has growth since the int...   Read More

REA responds: Changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2010   Date: 28 October 2010 16:54   The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on changes to the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2010. The Scottish Government proposes not to grandfather dedicated   Read More

REA comments on the Government’s response to the Committee on Climate Change’s report, published today (see below)   Date: 28 October 2010 16:44   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA said: “We draw some comfort from this report.  It namechecks the Read More

REA “Delighted” with Hydro Breakthrough   Date: 28 October 2010 14:41   REA, which led the campaign for Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) with Friends of the Earth has been advocating for the inclusion o...   Read More

MPs Turn Out in Force for Renewable Heat   Date: 21 October 2010 16:54   Around 50 MPs from all parties left their offices for College Green today to show their support for renewable heat at an event organised by Friends of the Earth and the Read More

REA comments on Chris Huhne’s energy policy statement   Date: 21 October 2010 16:49   Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the REA said: “The NPSs need to spell out clearly the overriding need for renewables, given the challenging targets.  However we are not concern...   Read More

REA Relieved for Solar   Date: 21 October 2010 16:25   After months of damaging speculation, solar feed in tariff rates will not be altered ahead of schedule. The news comes as a huge relief to both the PV industry and investors. However, if evidence em...   Read More

Heat Goes Renewable   Date: 21 October 2010 16:20   As part of the comprehensive spending review, the Government today announced its commitment to the Renewable Heat Incentive with £860 million of funding in anticipation of a 10-fold growth rat...   Read More

Pre CSR summary of the policy needs by technology group.   Date: 21 October 2010 16:13   Renewable energy is experiencing difficulties in nearly all technologies.  It is hoped the CSR will unlock as many areas as p...   Read More

The Renewable Energy Association brings the Renewable Heat Lobby and MPs together beneath 21ft Solar Powered Balloon Tomorrow, 12th October 2010 College Green, opposite the Houses of Parliament   Date: 12 October 2010 14:42   The REA will be joining MPs and green campaigners, beneath a 21ft solar-powered hot air balloon, to demonstrate support for r...   Read More

DECC minister takes break from Party conference break to put bioenergy centre stage   Date: 12 October 2010 14:34   Decc Minister Greg Barker took a morning out of his busy conference schedule today to address the REA’s annual Read More

Pioneering green gas now flowing onto the network   Date: 12 October 2010 14:27   Thanks to legislation put in place following the Renewable Energy Association’s campaign, the gas network is now beginning to de-carbonise.  Just as electricity from renewable power proje...   Read More

Minister Headlines REA Bioenergy Conference 6th & 7th October   Date: 12 October 2010 14:23   REA’s annual bioenergy conference runs from 6th to 7th October at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Read More

REA’s annual Bioenergy Conference returns in 2 weeks   Date: 28 September 2010 16:49   REA’s annual conference dedicated to bioenergy runs from 6th to 7th October at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. The confe...   Read More

REA response to Solar Power Subsidy cut rumours.   Date: 28 September 2010 16:17   Since the  publication of the article ‘Solar power Subsidy Cut Under Review’ in the Financial Times, the REA has been inundat...   Read More