"Reward those who go 'green'"

2.41.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 29th Jan 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has called for better financial incentives for those who make the 'green switch'.

The local AM has suggested that there should be a guaranteed minimum price for individuals and businesses who export excess renewable energy to the National Grid.

Ms Williams said: "It is in all our interests that more and more people make the switch to micro-generation and renewable energy. The Government should therefore be making this as easy to do as possible, and incentives should be there for individuals and businesses willing to make the 'green switch' - by offering grants for community energy projects, for example, and amending regulations so that it's easier for families to go green and energy ratings for buildings.

"I believe that by implementing policies like this, we would see a lot more on-site renewable energy generation developing. A guaranteed price for renewable energy exported by families and businesses to the National Grid, and an obligation on the Grid to purchase that excess energy where it is available, would also be a really positive step forward."