Renewable Energy Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Renewable Energy Foundation (REF), founded in 2004 by UK TV personality Noel Edmonds
, is a United Kingdom-based, registered charity with a stated aim of promoting the development of sustainable energy technologies.
REF believes that the issues of climate change and energy supply are complex and closely intertwined. REF's primary activity is commissioning and writing reports to provide information on energy issues. The REF argues against wind farm expansion.
Since 2006 REF has published a comprehensive set of statistics describing in detail the performance of renewable energy generators in the UK that are registered under the Renewables Obligation
On 2 February 2011 REF released a report critical of wind power saying it would lead to higher prices for consumers.
and Dale Vince
founder of Ecotricity
, who both accuse the organisation of using a deliberately "misleading" name, Vince says "They are not a Foundation for Renewable Energy, as their name says and as any reasonable person would conclude from their name – they actually exist to undermine Renewable Energy – in that respect their name is a deceit,".
Other critics such as Maria McCaffery, chief executive of RenewableUK, a trade body which represents more than 600 wind and marine energy firms, says the Renewable Energy Foundation's true purpose is diametrically opposed to the interests of the wind energy industry. "It is an anti-wind lobbying organisation," she told BusinessGreen. "I'd like to know where the renewable energy part of their remit is. They don't foster or promote or develop, they just try to undermine the case for wind energy all the time."
Noel Edmonds
Noel Ernest Edmonds, is an English broadcaster and executive, who made his name as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 in the UK. He has presented many light entertainment television programmes, including Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top of the Pops, The Late, Late Breakfast Show, Telly Addicts, Noel's Saturday...
, is a United Kingdom-based, registered charity with a stated aim of promoting the development of sustainable energy technologies.
REF believes that the issues of climate change and energy supply are complex and closely intertwined. REF's primary activity is commissioning and writing reports to provide information on energy issues. The REF argues against wind farm expansion.
Since 2006 REF has published a comprehensive set of statistics describing in detail the performance of renewable energy generators in the UK that are registered under the Renewables Obligation
Renewables Obligation
The Renewables Obligation is designed to encourage generation of electricity from eligible renewable sources in the United Kingdom. It was introduced in England and Wales and in a different form in Scotland in April 2002 and in Northern Ireland in April 2005, replacing the Non-Fossil Fuel...
On 2 February 2011 REF released a report critical of wind power saying it would lead to higher prices for consumers.
Criticisms
There have been critics of REF's agenda in particular Juliet Davenport, chief executive of green energy provider Good EnergyGood Energy
Good Energy is a renewable energy company in the United Kingdom. It supplies 100% renewable electricity to homes and businesses throughout the UK.-History:...
and Dale Vince
Dale Vince
Dale Vince is a Vegan former New Age traveller and British industrialist who has become noteworthy as the outspoken owner of the Green electricity company Ecotricity.-Football:In 2010 he became a major shareholder of Forest Green Rovers F.C....
founder of Ecotricity
Ecotricity
Ecotricity is a green energy company based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England specialising in selling and generating wind power. It is built on the principle of heavily reinvesting its profit in building more of its own windfarms.-History:...
, who both accuse the organisation of using a deliberately "misleading" name, Vince says "They are not a Foundation for Renewable Energy, as their name says and as any reasonable person would conclude from their name – they actually exist to undermine Renewable Energy – in that respect their name is a deceit,".
Other critics such as Maria McCaffery, chief executive of RenewableUK, a trade body which represents more than 600 wind and marine energy firms, says the Renewable Energy Foundation's true purpose is diametrically opposed to the interests of the wind energy industry. "It is an anti-wind lobbying organisation," she told BusinessGreen. "I'd like to know where the renewable energy part of their remit is. They don't foster or promote or develop, they just try to undermine the case for wind energy all the time."