The government has heard industry concerns over the future of the export tariff “loud and clear”, but did admit there is “no new news” on the inclusion of solar into the Contracts for Difference auctions or the future of small-scale renewables.
Speaking on the opening day of Solar & Storage Live, Vicky Dawe, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's deputy director for renewable electricity support, held true to the government’s line that support for solar had been a success having already exceeded the UK’s 2020 target for deployment.
She reiterated BEIS’ decision to halt all subsidies until the cost of existing schemes, thought to add around £7 – 8 billion on consumer bills, comes down; this is expected to be in 2025.
Dawe also teased the government’s reactions to the recent future of small-scale renewables support consultation, which revealed plans for the closure of the export tariff in March 2019 along with the end of the feed-in tariff regime.
She said the department had “heard very loud and clear” the solar industry’s views that a route to market was still needed, however added that other responses had supported BEIS’ view that continuing the support would place too much of a financial burden on consumers.
“The current flat rate for the export tariff doesn’t align with the government’s vision for fairer cost-effective pricing and the drive to minimise policy costs,” she said.