Energy News

Lib Dems plan £400 ‘eco-cash back scheme’

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

By Daniel Barnes- daniel@consumerchoices.co.uk

Homeowners will be offered £400 for making eco-home improvements under new Lib Dem plans.

The Liberal Democrats want to give homeowners £400 for eco home improvements.

The party has revealed a new ‘eco-cashback’ scheme where homeowners would receive cash for installing micro-generation solar panels and wind turbines.

Plans are for a flat £400 payment for those carrying out energy efficiency or generation improvements, compared to the current system of higher government grants.

The Lib Dems claim the initiative would “cut carbon emissions and give people a fair chance to go green”.

Energy generated from the micro-systems could then be sold back to the National Gird.

The proposals were announced as a part of the Lib Dem green platform.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat energy spokesman, said: "The Liberal Democrats have set out a blueprint for a fair economy that's fit to last.

"A green stimulus package will help boost investment in clean energy, reduce fuel bills and create thousands of new jobs.”

Under government plans, energy feed-in tariffs will go live from April 1st, requiring energy suppliers to make regular payments to homes that generate their own electricity.

A series of grants already exist, although funding for Low Carbon Building Programme solar panels and wind turbines has been used up.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling for a Competition Commission investigation the energy industry and how the major players’ price rises and cuts mirror each other.

They are also pushing for energy bills to include a statement on energy firms’ profits.