'Generate power in your homes, make money' Ofgem tells Britons

LONDON: UK energy suppliers are not encouraging Britons who want to sell home-generated power back onto the supply grid, the country's energy regulator said. Ofgem, the British energy regulator, warned yesterday it may be forced to set a minimum price and terms for the sale of domestically produced electricity, if energy suppliers do not cooperate in the energy conservation effort. That means the suppliers then have to buy whatever surplus energy is fed back onto the grid at a fixed price, an idea not welcomed by some. Ofgem believes microgeneration can thrive as an industry in the UK considering that 800,000-odd Britons already produce energy at home and many more could be interested as the cost of energy keeps rising. The prospect should be explored for any possible benefits and given preference, even over commercial interests, it said.