Green Energy (Definition and Promotion) Act 2009 (c. 19)

(1) The principal purpose of this Act is to promote green energy. (2) In this Act “ green energy ” means— (a) the generation of electricity or heat from renewable or low-carbon sources by the use of any equipment, the capacity of which to generate electricity or heat does not exceed the capacity specified in subsection (3); and (b) energy efficiency measures. (3) That capacity is— (a) in relation to the generation of electricity, 5 megawatts; (b) in relation to the generation of heat, 5 megawatts thermal. (4) In carrying out any function under this Act, the Secretary of State must have regard to— (a) the principal purpose set out in subsection (1); (b) the desirability of alleviating fuel poverty; and (c) the desirability of securing a diverse and viable long-term energy supply.

(1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish a strategy for the promotion of microgeneration in England. (2) Before preparing the strategy, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) persons who appear to the Secretary of State to represent the producers and suppliers of equipment for microgeneration; and (b) any other persons whom the Secretary of State thinks it appropriate to consult. (3) Consultation under subsection (2) must begin within 6 months beginning with the coming into force of this Act. (4) The Secretary of State must publish the strategy within 6 months beginning with the end of the consultation. (5) In preparing the strategy, the Secretary of State must— (a) consider the contribution that is capable of being made by microgeneration to the matters specified in section 82(3) of the Energy Act 2004 (microgeneration strategy for Great Britain); and (b) have regard to any other strategy published by the Secretary of State on or after 1st July 2009 in so far as it relates to the generation of electricity or heat from renewable or low-carbon sources. (6) The Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to secure the implementation of the strategy. (7) In this section— “ microgeneration ” has the meaning given by section 82 of the Energy Act 2004, but as if in subsection (8) of that section for “45 kilowatts thermal” there were substituted “ 300 kilowatts thermal ” ; “ renewable or low-carbon source ” means a source of energy or technology specified in section 82(7) of the Energy Act 2004.