Olive branch offered for tariff idea

A proposal to amend the energy bill to encourage homeowners to renovate their properties with the installation of green electricity generation devices has been defeated in Parliament.

However, the government has said the idea will come under further consideration soon.

Campaigners had been seeking an amendment to the energy bill that would place contractual obligations on energy companies to pay a minimum fee to householders who produced green energy at home and fed it into the national grid, a system known as a feed-in tariff.

Over 270 MPs had signed a Commons motion earlier this week supporting the plan but the vote was lost by 250 to 210, despite 35 Labour MPs rebelling.

However, energy minister Malcolm Wicks said the measure would be considered again when the government carries out its renewable energy consultation this summer.

Such a move could encourage those self building or renovating their homes to include microrenewable devices in them.

Earlier this week Friends of the Earth, one of the groups backing the campaign, revealed that pop singer Lily Allen has spoken out in favour of the move.


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