Hydro hitch bringing industry to a halt - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Hydro hitch bringing industry to a halt - Mick Bates AM

April 12, 2010 12:00 AM

Mick highlights hydro concerns

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates highlights the hydro hitch under the new Feed-in-Tariff scheme, which leaves new hydro schemes outside the scope for eligibility under the new green scheme.

Under the Feed-in-Tariff scheme introduced on April 1st, new hydro schemes with a capacity of less than 50kW must receive Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation or equivalent. However, as yet there are no agreed standards by which the products, installers and suppliers in this field could be assessed, therefore under these arrangements no new small hydro schemes can be accredited.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates states:

"I welcome the introduction of Feed-in-Tariffs, but this hydro hitch is a clear example of a policy which has not been properly thought out. The Micro Hydro Association has been campaigning to highlight that if there is no standard by which products and installers can be assessed, then they cannot receive accreditation and will fall outside the scope of the Feed-in-Tariff scheme, which is a serious concern.

"I have written to the Minister Jane Davidson to ask whether she would support a derogation from the Feed-in-Tariff accreditation requirement for small hydro schemes. This could offer a temporary solution until suitable standards are in place and the industry can proceed with the certainty that hydro projects operate from the same fair playing field as other technologies under this scheme."

Mr David Roberts, a hydro engineer working in Mid Wales, adds:

"Many farmers, land owners and community groups are keen to install a hydro system, to benefit from the financial savings that can be enjoyed by generating your own clean, green energy. We have a valuable resource of hydro power in Wales and historically hydro was the first source of electricity for many people here, but uncertainties about MCS accreditation requirements are holding up schemes.

"The uncertainty of the Feed-in-Tariff legislation is having a serious impact on the hydro industry in Wales. Many small hydro projects are currently on hold in the hope that this anomaly is resolved and the industry is grinding to a halt as a result. It is crucial that the practical problems of implementation of Feed-in-Tariffs are overcome to clear the way for the development of community energy."

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