(Media statement - Thursday 1st October 2015)

Joint Statement by renewable energy associations on closure of Feed-in Tariff preliminary

accreditation
On behalf of the renewable energy sector, and many thousands of businesses, community
groups and investors, our organisations have come together to call on the Department of
Energy and Climate Change to review urgently its decision to remove preliminary
accreditation from the Feed-in Tariff.
As of today, 1st October, developers are no longer able to register for financial support
under the FiT at a specific level before they start generating, increasing uncertainty over
their viability. This change has removed access to the FiT from individuals, farmers,
businesses, investors and communities looking to generate their own power. As a result,
hundreds of projects, millions of pounds of investment and many thousands of jobs have
been put at risk. It also has the reverse impact of what the Government seems to intend, by
pushing up costs.
This change is bad for business and bad for energy security. Renewable energy is not a "nice
to have": it generates more electricity than coal and provides employment in manufacturing
and in the rural economy.
We believe the consultation process on the removal of pre-accreditation was deeply flawed.
No impact assessment was provided by DECC and insufficient time was allowed for a proper
consideration of the proposal. The unexpected move was announced on 22 nd July and
confirmed on 9th September.
Since the Governments decision to remove pre-accreditation, DECC has launched a root
and branch Feed-in Tariff review which envisages fundamental changes to tariffs and caps
on levels of deployment. The Government has indicated that pre-accreditation could be
reintroduced as part of future proposals. Since it is unclear how the scheme can operate
without a pre-accreditation system, we would like to see a clear statement from
Government about the use of new pre-accreditation controls as part of any revised scheme.
It is unfortunate that we have so far been unable to establish meaningful engagement with
DECC on this matter. We would therefore urge DECC to expedite meaningful engagement
between ourselves, the Secretary of State and her advisors in the coming weeks. We desire
to work in a spirit of co-operation with Government and find a route forwards that allows
many more people to benefit from installing renewables on their rooftops, farms or
businesses, while helping to manage costs for all consumers.

Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association

Community Energy England
Regen SW
Renewable Energy Association
RenewableUK
Scottish Renewables
Solar Trade Association