UK govt kicks off consultations on renewable heat support

Sep 21, 2012 - The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) yesterday unveiled three consultations on the government's Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

One of those concerns support for householders for the installation of renewable heating systems like biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal. After starting the RHI for the non-domestic sector in November 2011, the UK government intends to launch a scheme for householders in the summer of next year.

The consultation proposes indicative tariffs of GBP 0.069-0.115 (USD 0.112-0.187/EUR 0.086-0.144) per kWh for air source heat pumps, of GBP 0.052-0.087 for biomass boilers, GBP 0.125-0.173 for ground source heat pumps and GBP 0.173 for solar thermal technologies. Householders are to be paid over seven years for each kWh of heat generated for the expected lifetime of the technology and based on estimated heat consumption.

Renewable heat generation by householders is currently supported through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) programme, which expires in March 2013.

DECC also announced two consultations on expanding the RHI for commercial, industrial and community customers. One of those examines the wider expansion of the scheme and the other concentrates on air-to-water heat pumps and energy from waste. The proposals include adding heating only air-to-air heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps and biomass direct air heaters to the scheme as well as increasing the range of eligible waste feedstocks.

(GBP 1.0 = USD 1.628/EUR 1.251)

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