Renewable energy ''needs less rules''

18/06/2008

The level of red tape surrounding renewable energy should be reduced to promote its use, the energy regulator has suggested.

Speaking BBC Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money programme, Trevor Loveday, head of communications at Ofgem, said simplifying the process would make it more attractive for individuals to generate renewable energy and sell it to the National Grid.

Mr Loveday revealed that currently anyone looking to use renewable energy has to comply with several different rules and regulations.

"It is a lengthy and expensive process and the proposals we put together will enable small generators to offload that responsibility to local suppliers," he commented.

Michael King, chairman of Aberdeen Heat and Power, backed up Mr Loveday on the same programme.

He agreed that regulations need to be reduced and suggested doing so would help the government to meet its target of zero-carbon new housing.

Mr King also said in current situation people carrying out renewable energy generation with a licence have to sell electricity to a consolidator, which reduces their profits and increases prices for the end user.