Britain’s rise to joint fifth with Spain has been attributed to recent legislation which specifically sets out provisions for the introduction of Feed-in tariffs by 2010. Feed-in tariffs are fundamental to investors as they guarantee a premium fixed rate for energy fed back into the national grid by small, renewable energy producers.

Also, acting as an important stimulus for investors is the falling value of Pound Sterling which is predicted to reach parity with the Euro in the new year.UK renewable projects increasingly expensive as imported technologies from Europe continue to rise as a result of the exchange rate.

“The falling value of the pound is making

“The declining price of oil is compounding the problem by reducing project revenues as wholesale energy prices fall, resulting in many projects becoming uneconomical. It is unlikely that falling commodity prices such as steel and copper will compensate enough” predicts Head of renewable energy at Ernst & Young, Jonathan Johns.

The recent Renewable energy country attractiveness indices saw Germany reach first position as a target for investors and is now seen as the leading light in terms of viable renewable energy innovations.

The new laws will see the UK cut gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and open the door for feed in tariffs, with the Government paying owners of grid connected solar and wind systems a premium rate for the energy they produce.

Environmental groups and members of the renewable energy industry have warmly welcomed this new legislation. The Renewable Energy Association released the statement,

“The Renewable Energy Association is delighted that that government has recognised the advantages of a tariff-style incentive scheme which will open doors for small-scale producers of renewable heat, electricity and bio-methane,” Philip Wolfe, Director

It is generally accepted that the progressive feed-in tariff policies of European countries such as Germany, France and Spain have stimulated and accelerated the growth of renewable energies there.