New bandings for the Renewables Obligation (RO) scheme have been unveiled by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Following a review of the bandings, the Government has confirmed the support mechanism subsidies for the period from 2013 to 2017.
There was also a surprise in the bandings for anaerobic digestion, with the Government deciding to close the RO band for this technology to new projects at or below 5MW from 1 April 2013. However, this is subject to consultation.
The ROC level of 2 in 2013/14 and 2014/15, 1.9 in 2015/16 and 1.8 in 2016/17 was also confirmed.
It was also decided to retain support for energy from waste with CHP at the 1 ROC level after the Government had consulted on reducing the support level to 0.5 ROCs.
DECC has also proposed that there will be one advanced conversion technology for both advanced gasification and advanced pyrolysis and standard gasfication and pyrolysis with the same ROC levels as anaerobic digestion declining in value up to 2017.
The RO is designed to subsidise a large range of renewable technologies.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “Renewable energy will create a multi-billion pound boom for the British economy, driving growth and supporting jobs across the country.
“The support we’re setting out today will unlock investment decisions, help ensure that rapid growth in renewable energy continues and shows the key role of renewables for our energy security.
“Because value for money is vital, we will bring forward more renewable electricity while reducing the impact on consumer bills between 2013 and 2015, saving £6 off household energy bills next year and £5 the year after.”
A new band to support existing coal plants converting to sustainable biomass fuels has been created. This will give 0.6 ROCs for mid-range co-firing (where the biomass is 50 to less than 85 per cent) and 0.7 in 2013/14 and 0.9 from 2014/15 for high-range co-firing (where the biomass is greater than 85 per cent).
