Reference Number:  10D/749

Open Date:  27 July 2010
Closing Date:  Part A: changes to the RO is 19th October 2010
Closing Date:  Part B: changes to REGOs is 7th September 2010

The RO is currently the main financial support scheme for renewable electricity in the UK. In order to ensure that the RO stimulates deployment of new renewable generation to the extent needed to meet our 2020 target for renewable energy, DECC plan to make certain changes to the RO by means of the next Renewables Obligation Order (ROO) which will come into effect on 1 April 2011. Part A of the consultation document deals with these changes. In summary, these are:

• The introduction of phased support for offshore wind projects, allowing developers to register groups of turbines in phases.

• Introduction of mandatory sustainability standards for biomass. There would be a transition period of mandatory reporting against the criteria from April 2011, with eligibility for ROCs from April 2013.

• Introduction of sustainability criteria for bioliquids in line with the mandatory requirements introduced by the RED.

Subject to the responses received to this consultation we are aiming to introduce these changes via the Renewables Obligation Order 2011, which would be implemented on 1 April 2011. The changes will be contingent on obtaining State Aid approval from the European Commission and subject to Parliamentary process. We will publish a draft amending Renewables Obligation Order 2011 during the consultation period.

This consultation document is also being used to issue calls for evidence on:

• Whether additional RO support should be extended to stations using refurbished parts or replacing components.

• How to support Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations in light of any future policies the Government may introduce to support renewable heat (responses to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) consultation are still being considered and Government will set out detailed options on how it proposes to take forward action on renewable heat through the Spending Review. However, in order to meet the legislative timetable to make changes to the RO we need to consult ahead of deciding how to take forward action on renewable heat)

• Whether there is a need to adjust the size of the Mutualisation cap and trigger that exists to protect ROC values in event of a shortfall in the buyout fund

The evidence received will feed into the scheduled banding review of RO support levels (due to begin in October 2010) and help inform if further changes to the legislation are necessary.

Part B of this document, consults on the implementation of various changes to Renewable Energy Guarantees Of Origin (REGOs). These changes are required under the Renewable Energy Directive to be implemented by 5 December 2010.

Online responses are preferred and for Part A can be submitted at the following link: http://econsultation.decc.gov.uk/decc-policy/roo2011[External link]

Responses to Part B can be submitted at the following link: http://econsultation.decc.gov.uk/decc-policy/regos[External link]

If you are unable to submit your response online please submit this in an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please use the template, which can be found below, to record your response.

Alternatively, hard copy replies should be sent to:
RFI Team, Renewables Directorate, Department of Energy and Climate Change,
4th Floor, Area A/B, 3 – 8 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2AW.

Source: http://www.decc.gov.uk

Discuss this Press Release here