What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy utilises any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat. Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, and hydroelectricity to biomass and biofuels for transportation.

Climate change concerns coupled with rising oil prices and increasing government support are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialisation.

Renewable energy is an integral part of the Government´s longer-term aim of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 80% by 2050. The Government has set a target of 10% of electricity supply to come from renewable energy by 2010. In 2006 renewable sources provided 4.55% of the electricity generated in the United Kingdom, 0.32 percentage points higher than in 2005. (www.restats.org.uk)

To reduce the cost of installation of renewable technologies the Low Carbon Buildings Programme has been created by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (a new department formally known as the Department of Trade & Industry combined with the former Better Regulation Executive, previously part of the Cabinet Office) The programme will provide grants for microgeneration technologies to householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not for profit sector and private businesses.

The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform´s Energy Group deals with energy-related matters, from production to supply. It is committed to ensuring competitive energy markets while achieving safe, secure and sustainable energy supplies and, ultimately, a low-carbon economy.