The RPA is holding four regional events in late September to bring delegates up to speed with the contents of these DTI, Scottish Executive and ODPM consultations, discuss the implications, give their feedback and hear how the RPA proposes to respond to them.

1. Routine amendments to the Renewables Obligation

Secondary legislation is needed to enact the extension of the RO quotas to 15% by 2015 (as announced last December). The DTI and the Scottish Executive plan to use this opportunity to incorporate other ‘non-contentious’ issues including further measures to safeguard the buy-out fund from supplier default.

2. The 2005-6 Review of the Renewables Obligation

Government has been committed to undertake a formal review of the RO from the outset. The scope of this review has been a matter of considerable interest since the Obligation began. The Terms of Reference have now been published.

While the RPA welcomes the way they have been framed – with a clear understanding of the importance of maintaining investors’ confidence in the ROC market mechanism – there is much important content to cover.

3. The 2005 update of the Building Regulations (England venues only, the Glasgow event will cover Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive)

Part L of the Building Regulations is to be changed to require developers to meet far more demanding carbon emission standards when designing new buildings through combinations of energy efficiency, building-integrated renewables (such as solar PV, biomass and micro-wind power) and CHP.

Event Programmes, Registration, Dates and Venues

Please find in the attachments below the Event Programmes along with the Registration Forms for each of the four events.

The dates and venues for each of the four regional events are as follows:

• Bristol- 21 September- ARKive Theatre, At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB, Tel: 0845 345 1235
• London- 22 September- Berwin Leighton Paisner, St Magnus House, 3 Lower Thames Street, London
• Glasgow- 28 September- Robert Burns Suite, Thistle Glasgow, Cambridge Street, Glasgow, G2 3HN, Tel: 0870 333 9154
• Manchester- 30 September- Directors Suite, The Palace Hotel, Manchester, Tel: 0161 288 1111

Given the fundamental importance of the RO consultations to the electricity-generating sector of the industry, and the building regulations to heat-only, smaller scale and building-integrated applications, it is anticipated that this event will attract delegates from the whole spectrum of the renewable energy industry.

Further Information

We look forward to welcoming you at these events and if you have any questions regarding the Events, please contact Lucy Theaker, the RPA Events Coordinator, on Tel: 020 7747 1841.