New government proposals to guarantee payment for excess renewable energy
Households and businesses installing new solar panels will be guaranteed payment for power provided back to the grid under government proposals set out yesterday (8th January) to unlock the smart energy systems of the future.
The proposed ‘Smart Export Guarantee’ (SEG) would replace the existing ‘Feed-in Tariff’ scheme (FIT), with electricity suppliers paying new small-scale energy producers for excess electricity from homes and businesses being put back into the energy grid. The new scheme could create a whole new market, encouraging suppliers to competitively bid for this electricity.
The SEG would mean households and businesses installing new renewable energy generators would be paid transparently for the energy they produce- protecting consumers from cost burdens, by using established smart technology.
Currently under the FIT scheme, accredited households and businesses who install small scale electricity generation are assumed to export 50% of the electricity they produce and are paid for it-even when the electricity is not needed by the grid or they export less than 50%.
Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry said:
“This new scheme could help us to build a bridge to the smart energy system of the future, with consumers firmly at its heart – not only buying electricity but being guaranteed payments for excess electricity they can supply to the grid.
It could also reduce strain on energy networks with a more decentralised and smarter local network delivering resilience much more cost effectively, unlocking innovative products for electric vehicles and home energy storage; a win-win for consumers and the environment and a key part of our modern Industrial Strategy.”
The proposals for the scheme are being consulted on. You can have your say until 5th March 2019.
The Energy Advice Hub is powered by BiU, the UK’s leading energy and utility consultancy. If you’d like advice on SECR, give us a call on 01253 785409 or email energy-hub@biu.com.
