UK consumers ''need to engage with renewable energy''

Posted by Robert Shields.

Renewable energy is something that UK consumers should be encouraged to engage with, it has been suggested.

The Renewable Energy Association''s (REA) Gaynor Hartnell has made a number of remarks concerning the government''s feed-in tariff scheme proposals, following a Guardian article written by George Monbiot.

Ms Hartnell, the organisation''s chief executive, has highlighted the positive effects that similar initiatives have had elsewhere.

She stated: ''Feed-in tariffs have been demonstrably successful at reducing technology costs through mass production.

''For example, feed in tariffs halved the price electricity from solar photovoltaics (PV) in Germany within a decade.''

The expert also pointed out that organisations such as social housing providers should be given the opportunity to benefit from the forthcoming feed-in tariff scheme.

Ms Hartnell was confirmed as the REA''s chief executive last month, after previously acting as its director of policy.

She suggested that the renewable energy sector will play an important role in the coming years.