The focus of the organisation will steadily shift away from a purely low carbon production of energy approach to also incorporate energy efficiency and lowering demand.
Further details are due to be announced at the Micropower Council’s Christmas reception at the Houses of Parliament tonight (Monday 16 December).
Climate change minister Greg Barker welcomed the move, saying: “I warmly welcome the creation of the Sustainable Energy Association. For the industry to approach policy development in a way that integrates energy efficiency and low carbon distributed energy production in buildings fits exactly with my vision of the future – an energy sector of the big 60,000. I have already announced several new initiatives in both the domestic and non-domestic sectors to start this journey, and I look forward to working with the Sustainable Energy Association on these in the same constructive and partnership spirit we have enjoyed from the Micropower Council for many years.”
Commenting on the move, Donald Daw, from Mitsubishi Electric, and vice president of the Micropower Council, said: “The Micropower Council has for many years been a champion of policy change for the benefit of the industry and consumers. The industry has long believed the UK’s buildings need intelligent integration of energy efficiency, renewable and low carbon heat and electricity production, yet the policy linkages are not yet well made.
“Much of the policy change in our sector has been founded on our evidence-based and constructive style to policy development, always working in partnership with policy makers. We will now apply this approach to the joining up of policy across the range of products and services offered by our members and the wider industry. The proper linking of energy efficiency, renewable and low carbon heat and electricity production in buildings is key to securing affordable, secure, renewable and low carbon future energy supplies.”