Government proposes compulsory 'green energy'

The Government has today announced proposals to change Building Regulations

which will make the use of renewable energy compulsory in all new buildings from 2008.

The changes, which will apply to all new homes, company and public buildings, will make micro-generation, such as solar panels to heat hot water, solar photo voltaic panels on roofs to generate electricity or small wind turbines for houses, mandatory in under two years.

It is understood that around 4,000 homes will benefit under the Household Programme by having the renewable energy systems installed in their homes.

Families on low incomes and in social housing are also set to benefit from renewable energy, with the Department of Social Development to provide a 100% grant assistance to install solar hot water systems in 500 homes in private fuel poor vulnerable households.

In the public sector, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is to install 600 solar water panels in its properties.

Launching the £8 million renewable energy Household Programme, Secretary of State, Peter Hain today said that Northern Ireland is leading the rest of the United Kingdom in green energy.

Mr Hain said: “The Household Programme is another important milestone in the promotion of renewable energy in Northern Ireland. It puts in place an initiative that will stimulate renewable energy at household level and effectively initiate a programme of micro-generation development for the future.

The Household Programme which was launched today in Comber is part of the Environment & Renewable Energy Fund announced by Peter Hain in February.

Anyone wanting to enquire about a Household Programme Grant should contact 0800 023 4077.

(EF/SP)