MPs, Lords and the Solar Trade Association have called on energy minister Claire Perry to respect the right of ordinary people to a fair minimum floor price for the electricity they export to the grid. The consultation on the new scheme for rewarding exports from small-scale low-carbon generation closed last night, sparking debates in both the Lords and the Commons. In a small boost to the market, a government minister in the Lords confirmed on Monday that households and other small generators will be eligible to receive the new Smart Energy Guarantee when it is in place. However, it is not yet known when the SEG will be in place, or in what form, which means a damaging policy hiatus, with government leaving very little time between the close of the consultation and the end of the export tariff this month. The STA response to the consultation also asks serious questions as to whether the market can practically deliver a smooth transition to a SEG for consumers given nascent and untested infrastructure, further underlining the case for government to mandate a fair minimum floor price as soon as possible.
London Loves Business 7th March 2019 read more »
One of the UK’s largest listed solar power funds is set to make its first investment in a zero-subsidy renewables project within the next year. Foresight Solar will pay its shareholders a record dividend of 6.58 pence a share from its stable of predictable subsidy-driven solar investments. But the fund’s solar boss, Ricardo Pineiro, said improvements in solar technologies meant Foresight could soon make investments in unsubsidised solar projects as well. “The most important thing is achieving predictable returns for our shareholders, and we see solar as a low-risk option,” he said.
Telegraph 6th March 2019 read more »
