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Proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO)
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has launched a statutory consultation on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) for implementation by 1 April 2011 and other changes on which initial views are being sought.
Please note: Since publication of the NIRO consultation document on 27 July 2010 it has been necessary to correct the document with regard to Chapter 5: Biomass Sustainability. A last minute change by DECC to its RO consultation document on the transition period for biomass sustainability compliance was not reflected in the NIRO consultation. As it is important that we maintain consistency on this issue the NIRO consultation document has been amended at para 5.22; now includes new paras 5.25 and 5.26; amended Q20 and new question added. All amendments are reflected as tracked changes for ease of reference. An alternative ‘clean’ version with all tracked changes accepted is also provided.
DETI apologise for any inconvenience caused.
All responses to this consultation should be submitted by 21 October 2010.
The consultation document can be obtained by clicking on the link below:
NIRO 2011 Consultation Document (with tracked changes)
NIRO 2011 Consultation Document (with tracked changes accepted)
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has launched a statutory consultation on changes to the arrangements governing Renewable Guarantees of Origin (REGO's)
These changes are required under Article 15 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and must be made by 5 December 2010.
The consultation document can be obtained by clicking on the link below
Consultation of Changes to Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGO's)
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) - Call for Evidence
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has launched a Call for Evidence in relation to support under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) for renewable electricity generated from Anaerobic Digestion (AD). The Call for Evidence seeks detailed information on the costs and revenues associated with setting up and operating an AD plant in Northern Ireland. The evidence gathered will help inform the Department’s approach to future AD support. The Call can be accessed at:
http://www.detini.gov.uk/anaerobic_digestion__-_call__for_evidence
Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010
In exercise of the powers conferred on it by Articles 52 to 52F and Article 66(3) of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, the Department has made a Statutory Rule entitled The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.
www.detini.gov.uk/renewables_obligation__amendment__order__northern_ireland__2010
The Statutory Rule, which comes into effect on 1 April 2010, amends The Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009. It makes a number of technical changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) mechanism including extending the end date of the NIRO to 2033; introducing 10% headroom from 1 April 2011; and introducing a 20 year limit on support under the NIRO. The Statutory Rule also includes provisions for increased support for new small-scale installations using onshore wind, hydro and solar photovoltaic technologies accredited after 1 April 2010.
The NIRO operates alongside similar Obligations in Great Britain and the Statutory Rule reflects a number of changes also being made to the corresponding legislation in Great Britain.
Further information on the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation can be obtained from Michael Harris at 02890529269 or by email at michael.harris@detini.gov.uk
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Draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan 2009-2020 and Strategic Environmental Assessment
DETI has published (14 December 2009) for consultation until 8 March 2010 a draft Offshore Renewable Energy Strategic Action Plan. The draft plan along with associated strategic environmental assessment is available on a dedicated website www.offshorenergyni.co.uk. Responses can be made to this website or to
Sandra McMillan,Sustainable Energy,Department of Enterprise,Trade & Investment,Netherleigh,Massey Avenue,Belfast,BT4 2JP
Email: Sandra.mcmillan@detini.gov.uk
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[01-10-2009] Suppliers NIRO Obligation level for 2010/11 is 0.043ROCs per MWh of electricity supplied
In accordance with Article 12(4) of the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 ("the NIRO Order"), the Department today confirms that the Obligation level for suppliers to customers in Northern Ireland for the Obligation Period running from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011 will be 0. 043 ROCs per MWh (megawatt hour) supplied.
The Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO ) is the main support mechanism for encouraging increased renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland. It operates in tandem with the Renewables Obligations in Great Britain - the 'ROS' in Scotland and the 'RO' in England & Wales - in a UK-wide market for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) issued to generators under the Obligations. The NIRO, like the GB Obligations, obliges electricity suppliers to produce a certain number of these ROCs for each Megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity which they supply to their customers in Northern Ireland or to pay a Buy-Out fee that is proportionate to any shortfall in the number of ROCs being so presented.
With the introduction of 'banding' to all three UK Obligations from April 2009 the number of ROCs due to be presented can vary from the specific proportion of electricity sales that had hitherto been fixed for each year as the supplier's obligation. This is because the number of ROCs issued to generators for each MWh of electricity now varies according to the banding of their particular technology or renewable energy source and because the Obligation level must be set at a level that is at least 8% above the projected number of ROCs that will be available in that particular year.
Article 12(4) of the NIRO Order requires the Department to publish the level of a forthcoming Obligation Period by 1st October preceding that Obligation Period.
The calculation process set out in Articles 5 to 12 of the NIRO Order has now been completed and in accordance with Article 12(4), the Department can today confirm that the Obligation level for supplies to customers in Northern Ireland for the period running from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2011 will be 0. 043 ROCs per MWh (megawatt hour) supplied.
Full details of this calculation and those for the GB Obligation are available on the DECC website
For any queries or further information please contact Malachy McKernan at 028-9052-9269 or by e-mail at malachy.mckernan@detini.gov.uk
Sustainable Energy Branch
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DETI
1 October 2009
The Reconnect household renewable energy programme was funded under the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund, a direct rule initiative, which closed to applications on 31 March 2008
The total budget provision available for Reconnect was originally £8 million which was later increased to £10.8 million. The total number of installations supported under the scheme was 4,168 with solar hot water and wood fuelled boilers being the most popular technologies
The Department has carried out an evaluation of Reconnect against all its objectives and this will have to be fully considered before making any decisions on possible future schemes and will need to take into account wider UK wide support available, proposed actions to meet EU Directives, changing market conditions, value for money and the effect on competitiveness.
Government grants for household renewables are currently available from the UK wide Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Applications can be made online at the www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk website, where full details on how to apply are available. Any questions should be directed to the Energy Saving Trust advice line at 0800 915 0990 or by emailing info@lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.
A summary of the responses to the public consultation on the draft Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 is now available via the Consultations link above.
The Electricty Consents (Planning) (Northern Ireland) Order together with an Explanatory Memorandum were made at Westminster on 16 November 2006.
Copies of the Order and the Explanatory Memorandum are available in electronic form via the Legislation link above.
The Consultation document on the proposed Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 which will enable the establishment and operation of the single wholesale electricity market in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was published on 10 November and is available via the Consultation link above.
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[ 03-05-2007 ] Consultation on further implementation of Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC
Consultation on further implementation of Electricity Directive 2003/54/EC
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[ 02-12-2008 ] Consultation on proposed legislation relating to offshore electricity developments
The consultation considers the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive 85/337/EEC (as amended) in respect of offshore electricity developments, and the proposed reduction of the threshold above which the Department's consent is required for constructing, extending and operating offshore wind and water driven generating stations
