Government tilts biomass subsidy in favour of larger plant, retains solar thermal support

0

biomass pelletsGovernment has published changes to support rates for renewable and low carbon heat via the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) remains keen to incentivise larger biomass, which it believes is a more efficient use of available funds, and has merged existing tariffs into one rate. The tiered biomass support structure will now favour larger developers.

BEIS has also retained support for non-domestic solar thermal, which was potentially due to be cut when the department consulted on proposed RHI changes earlier this year. However, 92% of responses to that consultation argued against scrapping support.

Subsidy for commercial air and ground source heat pumps remains unchanged, but support for biogas and biomethane will increase, subject to a stricter feedstock requirements.

See full details, tariffs and implementation timetable here.

Related stories:

The Heat Report 2016

The heat is on, but which technologies will decarbonise heat at lowest cost?

The heat network regulations: Messy delivery leaves landlords cold

Climate change boss calls for “proper” hydrogen grid trials

Businesses rush to secure biomass RHI rates ahead of tariff cuts

National Grid calls for ideas on future of gas system

Scrap renewable heat subsidies and prioritise energy efficiency, government told

Local authorities must scope heat networks better to get funding

Solar thermal and storage ‘key to decarbonise heat’

Heatpumps, biomass and CHP top firms’ heat investments for 2016

Waste heat a wasted opportunity

75p/kWh subsidies for district heating?

Brussels increases focus on energy efficient heating and cooling

Decentralisation the key to heat networks?

Tim Rotheray: Put users at heart of energy policy or watch it fail

CHP behind 6% of UK electricity, could do more

Councils step up heat network plans

Decc consults on how £320m heat networks funding should be spent

Heat networks ‘could be subsidy free within five years’ with right framework

Firms with CHP generators could be paid to stop exporting power

Local Authorities say finance and public procurement biggest barrier to heat networks

Free report: Financing energy efficiency

Click here to see if you qualify for a free subscription to the print magazine, or to renew.

Follow us at @EnergystMedia. For regular bulletins, sign up for the free newsletter.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here