| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Green energy prices ‘not passed on’
Credit: Belfast Telegraph, www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk 19 January 2012 ~~
Lower electricity prices generated by renewable energy are not being passed on to householders, the Consumer Council said.
Wind power producers are profiting because the cost is set by the more expensive fossil fuel needed to meet demand in the system. This means they may be over-rewarded for the electricity they generate, the lobby group added.
The council has published an analysis of the electricity market.
Chief executive Antoinette McKeown said: “The right level of incentives is needed to increase the amount of renewable generation but developers should not be over-rewarded to the detriment of customers.”
According to the organisation, the average electricity bill in Great Britain is £530 a year compared to £588 a year in Northern Ireland.
It said consumers were bearing more risk from higher costs than shareholders in electricity companies and prices were greater because energy policy is “confused and contradictory”.
The council warned the benefits from renewable energy like wind are not being seen by customers as power within the single electricity market (SEM) is set by the most expensive fossil fuel generator needed to meet demand on the system.
Prices from fossil fuel generators include the cost of carbon and fossil fuel and because renewable generators do not produce carbon or use fossil fuels therefore may be overpaid for the electricity they provide.
Ms McKeown said Northern Ireland needs a clear and detailed energy policy.
“We want to see the issue of affordability, security of supply and sustainability to be looked at in the round,” she added.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Contributions |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=17959 ]
