Carmarthenshire MP Jonathan Edwards raised concern over the British Government's Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme, which encourages small scale low carbon electricity generation, disadvantages rural areas.

The SEG replaced Feed in Tariffs last year, however the new scheme is reliant on modern electricity smart meters. The roll out of smart meters is hindered in rural areas due to infrastructure problems.

Mr Edwards said: “I have received representations from constituents who are concerned that they are unable to access the Smart Export Guarantee scheme as infrastructure problems means that smart meters haven’t been rolled out as quickly in rural areas.

“It’s disappointing that the British Government's flagship scheme to encourage households to make investments in small scale low carbon electricity generation discriminates against rural areas.

“I have tabled parliamentary questions calling for an alternative scheme for rural areas so that everyone has the same opportunity to access incentives to invest in domestic micro electricity generation.”