Alan Simpson's micro-generation survey
Alan Simpson MP's recent survey of micro-generation in different Government departments provides a useful benchmark by which to judge the Government's increasingly pro micro renewables rhetoric. The survey found that of 11 government spending departments, only the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had allocated money from its buildings budget to invest in "self-generation" schemes. Our sponsoring department, the DTI has asked the Carbon Trust to carry out a feasibility study but there are no specific projects in the pipeline.
At a time when there are some in the micro-generation lobby who are tempted to argue that "the job is done" with the Third reading of the climate change and sustainable energy bill last friday, the Government's continued inability to lead by example provides evidence to the contrary. This isn't just about the lack of renewables in new departmental buildings. There are far bigger prizes in the wider government estate. Last summer, the Government's micro-generation strategy consultation asked "what more should the Government be doing through the management of its own estates to promote microgeneration?" It could hardly be doing less.
It was therefore disappointing that the final microgeneration strategy document in March was woefully thin in terms of specific commitments. Nothing at all for example on the multi billion pound schools and hospital building and renovation programme. But get this right and the capital grant funding available for such projects through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will be literally dwarfed.
A few years ago, the Green Alliance produced a coherent and utterly compelling argument for "greening the PFI." It's a great pity that three years on, feasibility studies and consultation continue to take the place of real Government action in this area. Perhaps Alan Simpson's survey will finally provide a long overdue wake up call. There is no reason for example why grant funding should be used at all for supporting micro renewables in new-build schools and hospitals when there are other non grant mechanisms available.
