RHI- Ofgem Update
added july 18th 2011
Ofgem who are administering the RHI on behalf of the government have now published their guidance in two volumes. Volume one discusses the eligibility requirements and how prospective applicants can apply. Volume two discusses the ongoing requirements for applicants, along with information on how periodic support payments are calculated and paid. It also contains details of Ofgem’s compliance and enforcement powers.
This initial guidance is aimed at the non-domestic phase and is open for consultation until the 5th August. The guidance is not a legal guide but rather Ofgem’s interpretation of the RHI. The Regulations along with the guidance are expected to be in force from the 30th September 2011, pending parliamentary approval.
The guidance states that a single private residential dwelling are not eligible for the first phase of the RHI being non-domestic and will fall within the domestic sector which will be eligible from October 2012. However the guidance does define eligible installations as single non-domestic premises; multiple non-domestic premises; multiple non-domestic and domestic premises (mixed use) e.g. office space and residential flats is the example given; or multiple domestic premises and the example given is a district heating system supplying a block of flats.
Applications for the RHI will be online via the Ofgem website, however a paper application can be requested. The applicant can only apply after the parliamentary approval has been received due on the 30th September 2011. All potential applicants should retain any evidence of the design, installation and any documentation relating to the installation as this maybe requested during the accreditation stage or afterwards for audit purposes.
The general eligibility checklist is referred to on page 26 Volume one- that the installation was completed and first commissioned on or after 15 July 2009 and that the heat generated is for eligible purposes, i.e. heating space, water, or heating a building, and that no prior grants have been received for that installation, and that the plant was new at the time of installation. All sizes of biomass boilers are eligible for the RHI scheme.
A further statement is likely to be released by Ofgem at the end of the consultation period after the 5th August 2011.
For any further information on the RHI and Ofgem and our range of Austrian Guntamatic biomass boilers please contact Treco Ltd on 0845 130 9012 or via info@treco.co.uk or www.treco.co.uk .