Renewables Advisory Board

The Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) provides advice to Government on a wide range of renewable energy issues. The board is an independent, non-departmental public body sponsored by the UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) that brings together government departments, the renewables industry, academia, and the unions.

It aims to provide the Minister Secretary of State with independent, impartial and authoritative advice on policies, programmes and measures, to improve Government understanding of the obstacles and opportunities for the development and deployment of renewable technologies in the UK, both in the short term and over the next 20 years, and make specific recommendations.

The Board is chaired by the Secretary of State, BERR.

The Board is composed of 12 ex officio members, drawn from Government and the Trade Unions, and specifically appointed members.

In 2008, the focus of RAB’s work is to deliver advice to the Secretary of State, BERR, on delivery of the UK’s share of the EU target for 20% renewable energy by 2020. In order to provide comprehensive, but targeted advice, RAB has established eight workstreams to supervise the delivery of defined tasks.

  • 2020 RE Policy
  • Bioenergy and Heat
  • Business Benefits / Supply Chain
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Financial Support Mechanisms
  • Grid(s)
  • On site / Community Energy
  • Planning (including public acceptance)

RAB delivered report to the Secretary of State in April 2008, setting out RAB’s vision for delivery of the proposed UK target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. 2020 Vision Report

For 2008, RAB has adopted a new internal governance structure to deliver this work. A smaller ‘Executive’ has been formed to supervise the delivery of the workstreams and tasks defined in this work plan.

For further information about the work of the Renewables Advisory Board, including copies of RAB publications, minutes of meetings and consultation responses is available from the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) website.

© Crown copyright2008