Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

“Labour-Plaid Assembly Government is failing the people of Wales with broken promises and a lack of action on microgeneration in Wales” – this is the claim of Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment, Mick Bates AM, who today challenged the First Minister over lack of progress on microgeneration.

The Microgeneration Action Plan contains ‘benchmarks’ for the installation of new micro-generation heating and electricity units by 2012 and 2020. It also states that the Assembly Government will seek a decision on the devolution of building regulations by the end of 2007 with the aim of all new build housing to be carbon zero 2011.

Criticising these benchmarks, Mick Bates AM is calling for firm targets rather than mere ‘aspirations’ for increasing the up-take of microgeneration in Wales:

“With energy prices increasing microgeneration technology, such as photovoltaics, has huge potential to help people produce their own energy. This would help reduce energy bills and support the most vulnerable people in our communities who are suffering from fuel poverty.

“It is all very well for the Labour-Plaid Assembly to have aspirations for increasing the use of microgeneration technologies, but it is vital that these aspirations become firm commitments.

“The Welsh liberal Democrats believe that all new build housing must be carbon neutral by 2015 but this cannot be done unless we overcome the barrier of building regulations. Wales must have the power to decide on its own priorities for increasing renewable energy in the home and set real targets supporting for microgeneration in Wales.

“The previous Labour Assembly Government promised a decision on building regulations by the end of 2007 but has failed to keep this promise. I have challenged Rhodri Morgan over his plans for ensuring the Welsh Assembly is given this power but the First Minister cowardly hid behind the lengthy political process, to cover up a lack of action by the Labour-Plaid coalition.

“There must be more action to drive forward the green agenda in Wales. Microgeneration can play a huge part but we need well funded grant schemes for domestic installations, firm political backing and ambitious targets, not just aspirations and broken promises, if we are to truly develop a low carbon economy for the future.”


Ends/Diwedd


Notes:

The Microgeneration Action Plan for Wales 2007 can be viewed at:

 http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/departments/dein/publications/microgenplan?lang=en