Fees hit green choices
THE GOVERNMENT'S call for householders to invest in micro green power could be hindered by the prohibitively high licensing fees it charges tradesmen to fit them, according to one new Marske business.
Last month, a government commissioned report by Element Energy consultants said that the number of home-based energy units could soar to nine million by 2020 - producing as much energy as five nuclear power stations and generating a £21bn bonanza for renewable energy technology companies.
But according to David Mahoney, who spent two years training in the installation of domestic devices at the Centre of Alternative Technology before launching his green energy business Elfsec Solar, it costs around £2,000 to be licensed to install each technology.
For a business equipped to install solar heating, photo voltaic panels, wind power and ground source energy systems, the total bill could reach six figures.
“I haven’t registered yet purely because of the cost,” said Mr Mahoney, who has already invested more than £20,000 in the business and said the additional cost was “annoying”.
Householders cannot take advantage of government installation grants unless they use an accredited supplier.
He said he was banking on rising energy costs persuading households to adopt cost-saving green energy.
Meanwhile, new research released today paints a bleak picture of Teesside in 2050 if action is not taken now to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
The research – commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, which has an office at Billingham – found that more than 29% of residents think the UK will need its own Carbon Police to force a change.
More than half thought that by 2050 the Government will enforce tough laws to make Brits reach environmental targets.
Today the Trust launches Emission Impossible? A vision for a low carbon lifestyle by 2050 which outlines steps that need to be taken for the UK to reduce its carbon emissions by up to 80% by 2050, including adopting alternative energy sources.
It comes ahead of the Government’s renewable energy strategy which is due to be published tomorrow and is expected to propose a huge increase in offshore wind power.
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