http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by-technology/energy-efficiency-by-technology-renewable-energy-news/uk-renewables-industry-gets-localised-focus.html

Meeting the UK’s renewable energy and climate change targets is should longer be led by a national effort and must instead be pushed forward at a local level, industry experts said.

Speaking at an industry event in London yesterday, Abigail Burridge, senior policy officer at LG Group Environment and Housing Programme Board, said the focus of local councils in the UK can no longer be about delivering national targets.
‘Local priorities are what is important and renewables are the priority,’ she said. ‘Renewables can help during this time of significant funding constraint.’
She called for local councils to get better access to data so opportunities in the community can be accessed fully.
In addition, Burridge said a comprehensive licencing system needs to be put in place for the wealth of microgenerators that have sprung up since the introduction of feed-in tariffs (FITs) this April for installations under 5MW and there needs to be easier ways for councils to apply for funding.
Under new regulations, councils can now also benefit from the FITs by becoming energy generators, a practice that until this year was banned.
‘This could be a great opportunity for councils to meet local objectives,’ Burridge said.
There also needs to be a focus on making sure the poorer communities benefit from the FIT, an area where local authorities also have a key role, she added.
‘It would be great to get to the level where councils go out and talk to developers and bring renewable energy into the community,’