Renewable Energy Association (UK)

The REA’s main objective is to secure the best legislative and regulatory framework for expanding renewable energy production in the UK. We undertake policy development and provide input to government departments, agencies, regulators, NGOs and others. Other services include:

• Conferences, Seminars & Workshops
  
• Public affairs and industry PR
  
• Publications and newsletters
  
• Information on technical, legal, commercial and environmental matters
  
• Training courses and career opportunities
  
• Member networking
  

We also host the annual British Renewable Energy Awards 

What we do for consumers
The Association sponsors the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme. The REAL Assurance Scheme has been set up by the Renewable Energy Association. It aims to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers wishing to buy or lease small generation units for their home, for a community building or for a small business. REAL membership is a sign that the supplier has agreed to abide by the high standards as set out in our Consumer Code. The REAL logo is a symbol of professional excellence.

What we do for local authorities
New performance indicators for local authorities focus on carbon emissions, both through council activities and on a per capita basis.  Renewable Energy plays a key role in delivering targets on carbon emissions.  Well-informed Councils can  take first mover advantage of new economic arrangements such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Services we offer that are specifically helpful to local authorities include:

• Access to advice across a wide range of renewable technologies and services, e.g on-site renewables, anaerobic digestion and large scale wind developments
  
• Advice on how renewables can have a direct impact on council's key performance indicators, particularly NI 186 NI 187 and NI 188
  
• Free advertising of tenders for renewable energy products and services to a wide range of companies ensuring Local Authorities can achieve best value in procurement
  
• Reputational benefits - renewables are a highly visual statement of a Council's environmental credentials.  REA advises on how to pursue this in a meaningful way
  
• Regular updated information on the developments within the industry.  The newsletter is delivered weekly to named contacts across the council by email
  
• Lobbying directly with government officials on areas of concern to Local Authorities on issues related to renewable energy - including, planning, housing, waste management, energy procurement and transport fuels
  
• Membership of the REA's Local Authority Contact Group, which meets 3 times a year to inform and involve members with our work programme.  We also input into the LGA environment policy group
  

How we focus on individual sectors

The REA deals with broad renewables policies, but also covers sector-specific issues. We have set up a number of what we call Sector Groups, some looking at individual technologies, others focussed on sub-sectors of the industry. The Association and the Sector Groups work in collaboration with other trade associations and NGOs. For further information on our Resource Groups, please visit the relevant section of our website.

Association structure and resources
A Board, elected by the membership and the Sector Groups, directs the Association’s activities. A full-time executive team handles operational, policy, and communication issues, based at our conveniently located office in central London. We also retain a number of specialist advisors with industry expertise in individual sectors, to support the activities of the Sector Groups and policy development in general.

The REA is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, registering. Articles of Association can be provided on request. The REA is funded from member contributions with other income established from services and consultancy.