UK Faces Growing Opposition to Solar Tariff Cuts (Conservative govt protecting nuclear market)

[kristopher]

It has been known for some time that if the energy efficiency and renewable programs of the UK and Eu are allowed to proceed to their goals, then there will be a market for less than 50% of the projected generation from the nuclear plants the Conservative Party has been pushing to build. (citigroup ‘New Nuclear – The Economics Say No’ and CITIgroup SEU2008)
This is how the Conservative Party has been trying to deal with that since they took office.

UK Faces Growing Opposition to Solar Tariff Cuts
By David Appleyard, Chief Editor, Renewable Energy World International

Moves by the UK government to abruptly slash feed-in tariffs for smaller and rooftop installations are coming under increasing pressure as opposition becomes more organized and gathers pace.

Pressure group Save Our Solar, which campaigns under the slogan "Cut don’t kill," is mobilizing efforts through parliament by inviting interested parties to write to their MP (Member of Parliament) and call for them to visit local solar businesses and hear first-hand of the significant impact the revised policy as outlined will have on employment. "Across the country 25,000 jobs have been created in two years, despite the current economic situation. These jobs include high-tech manufacturing jobs but also significant numbers of installation jobs spread right across the country to get the panels onto buildings," a draft letter from the group reads, adding: "However, all this could be destroyed if savage cuts to the rates of support are made too fast."

..."As you all know, moving the goal posts doesn't just destroy projects and jobs, it creates a mood of uncertainty that puts off investors and they wonder what's coming next. Some companies have invested heavily in solar photovoltaic systems, and in the supply chains needed to install them. That commitment has been undermined by the feed-in tariff decision - and so industry trust and confidence in the government has evaporated. This bodes poorly for investment in future initiatives," Cridland said, adding: "A new industrial policy needs to recognise the real-time costs of these decisions, and should set out a clear path that investors understand and can believe in."

...PV Adviser Ray Noble said; "This sector has proved itself in just 18 months despite repeated upheavals. It surely now deserves the most enthusiastic political support. In addition to solar module price drops, the UK industry has cut installation costs up to 50 percent. At the very largest scale solar is now competitive with offshore wind. Domestic solar is delivering huge numbers of quality jobs. Solar has stimulated quite exceptional levels of community and business innovation. On top of all these benefits, if the government get fully behind this industry, solar will be cheaper than the prices households and businesses will be paying for electricity not long after this parliament. That will totally transform choice and competition in the UK electricity sector. The Chancellor must secure this industry’s future in his autumn statement. It is Alice in Wonderland to achieve such fantastic results and, given the remaining budget, find ourselves fearful for the very survival of the UK solar industry."

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/uk-faces-growing-opposition-to-solar-tariff-cuts?cmpid=SolarNL-Thursday-November17-2011