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Enigin News - Call for UK Energy Efficiency Schemes to be Simplified

Enigin News - Call for UK Energy Efficiency Schemes to be Simplified

NEW research by utility company npower reveals that many UK businesses feel that the UK government’s measures to reduce carbon emissions need to be simplified to meet set targets.

The consultation, which is ongoing, asked businesses which UK energy legislation they feel should be kept and which should be changed or got rid of all together.

The feedback found that the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC), Climate Change Levy (CCL) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), the Renewables Obligation and Feed In Tariffs will help ensure the £200 billion investment needed for the UK’s energy infrastructure.

The results of npower’s consultation, which is still ongoing, will be fed back to the UK government as part of its Red Tape Challenge initiative. The government consultation on the energy sector formally opens on 25 November.

Against a backdrop of political debate on how to best regulate the energy industry, npower asked businesses which energy legislation they would keep, which they would like to see simplified and those they would like to see scrapped completely.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the CRC received most attention, with over two thirds of businesses (69 percent) wanting to see the scheme simplified and more than half of business (57 percent) believing it should be scrapped. Over a third (38 percent) would like to see it merged with existing regulation.

There was also a call to scrap the Renewables Obligation among some businesses (41 percent), with nearly half (47 percent) calling for it to be simplified. Opinion was split on CCL and CCAs, with 29 percent wanting to see them scrapped, and 32 percent believing they should stay.

Wayne Mitchell, interim industrial and commercial markets director at npower, comments:

“Energy policy ultimately drives British business. But, as the Government recognises through its Red Tape Challenge initiative, there is a mammoth amount of legislative cost burden on British businesses. Groups such as the CBI have been very vocal about how this legislation is not only stifling domestic growth, but also making the UK less competitive on an international scale.

“At the moment the energy market is neither fully regulated, nor fully liberalised and that this ‘in-between’ situation is leaving businesses and investors in limbo unable to make an informed decision. That is why we again urge the business community to make sure their voices are heard. This is a unique opportunity on an unprecedented scale to have a say on energy legislation – and our own consultation reveals a mixed bag of views so far.

“However, one thing is clear – businesses want simplification not only to help them manage their own obligations, but to also help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets and help raise the investment needed for low carbon generation.”

Enigin Distributors across the UK can help industry, commerce and the public sector to improve their energy efficiency through using Enigin plc's solutions, with or without legislation, and benefit from reduced emissions, energy use and energy costs. To discover more contact your local Enigin Distributor now,

Picture of UK Offices for Software & Internet Companies by Stephen Elwyn Roddick © Copyright Stephen Elwyn RODDICK and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Wednesday 19th October 2011