UK-based renewable energy developer Ripple Energy has called on the UK government to disassemble financial penalties against individuals who own a renewable energy source.
Ripple Energy has stated that individuals who cannot install rooftop solar, such as those who rent or reside in flats, are relying on energy cooperatives. In doing so, these individuals can access stakes in large-scale wind and solar farms which provide them with cheap clean energy.
The developer’s “Own Your Power” campaign calls or easier access to these cooperatives by alleviating financial hurdles. For example, individuals are currently paying levies on the energy they receive from their own wind and solar parks.
Further, Ripple Energy states that the government needs to do more than its current community energy initiatives and cooperative support to achieve this.
To this end, Ripple Energy has petitioned the Labour government.
Ripple Energy founder and Chief Executive, Sarah Merrick, is a part of London’s Onshore Wind Taskforce. She comments:
“We need lots of new wind farms and solar parks to achieve the government target of green power by 2030; people shouldn’t be locked out of the transition.
“Energy cooperatives are the solution. They democratise energy ownership by enabling people to be part of large-scale projects. Crucially, they also protect people against price hikes from the energy market and geopolitical volatility.”
Background
At the time of writing, exemptions to the levies are in place. However, according to Ripple Energy these require unlicensed suppliers and private wire networks. The recent change of government offers the possibility of getting focus on an issue early into Labour’s term.
By simplifying this process, shares in large scale wind or solar farms will become more accessible to the public – especially those on lower incomes.
“We are at a critical point in the UK’s energy transition, with the new government pledging to speed up renewables deployment and the biggest expansion in community energy in British history,” adds Merrick.
“Energy cooperatives are communities in their own right, and by implementing these three simple asks, the true potential of community energy in Britain can be realised with nobody left behind or penalised for their contribution.”
