Government boosts renewables, knocks back energy efficiency

The government has given a boost to renewable energy and a knock-back to energy efficiency in the outcome of its Housing Standards Review.

Last year’s review proposed amending or removing the so-called Merton Rule, which allowed local authorities to set renewables and efficiency standards above national building standards.

The Government’s proposed amendment to the Deregulation Bill removes the power from local governments to set energy efficiency standards for new buildings, but has left in place powers to specify the sourcing of energy from on-site renewable technologies (such as solar panels) or connected renewable heat networks (using technologies such as biomass, geothermal or energy from waste). This means local authorities can continue to specify the inclusion of renewable energy in new homes, helping reduce energy bills and carbon footprints for their occupants.

But an amendment to the Deregulation Bill, currently passing through Parliament, confirmed late last week that local powers to set on-site renewable energy targets for new buildings will be retained – although it also removes the ability to set similar standards for energy efficiency.

REA head of on-site renewables, Mike Landy, said: “We very much welcome that Government has listened to our concerns and retained the Merton Rule for renewable energy. This popular policy will continue to enable local authorities to ensure that new homes in their locality enjoy lower energy bills and carbon footprints thanks to on-site renewables and renewable heat networks. This is great news for green jobs and skills in the sector.”

Although last year’s update to Building Regulations did slightly increase energy efficiency standards (effective from 1st April this year), it did not provide any impetus for renewables. This outcome is therefore a great relief for the new build renewables sector, preserving jobs and skills developed to date ahead of the implementation of full ‘Zero Carbon’ standards, including renewables, in the 2016 Building Regulations update.