Proposed RHI changes generates positive REHAU response

The proposed changes to the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) regulations, which will see higher, guaranteed tariffs for domestic and commercial projects choosing to use renewable heat solutions, have been welcomed by REHAU.

The tariff changes were laid before Parliament in February, as part of number of proposed amends to the domestic and non-domestic RHI schemes, which ministers hope will boost the uptake of renewable heat installations nationwide. The revised RHI rules came into force on 22 May.

Among the changes to the RHI schemes is an uplift to the tariffs for biogas and biomethane, changes to the eligible uses of renewably generated heat, plus new rules on shared ground loops and mandatory electricity metering.

However, the main change is the introduction of tariff guarantees. Under the proposed amends, project managers will be able to apply to Ofgem at the planning stage of their project to secure a guaranteed tariff, which will strengthen the business case for the use of a renewable heat source from the outset and provide long-term security for investors.

As a leading supplier for district heating and other renewable heat installations, REHAU hopes the suggested changes to the regulations will give specifiers the confidence to take projects that had been previously been put on the backburner because of former uncertainties about RHI tariffs.

Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical for the Business Solutions Division at REHAU, hoped the proposed changes to the RHI schemes would become the ‘catalyst for an uplift in renewable heat installations’ in the UK.

“We are particularly excited about the changes to the biogas tariffs, some of which have been doubled from the previous tariff, as this is an area where we have a great amount of experience from our German operations and where the UK has been slow to adopt,” Steve said.

“We have spoken to customers who think the tariff changes will make their biogas – or anaerobic digestion – plant projects viable, which is great news for them and for the environment.”

Biogas is an ideal renewable heat solution for farm-based projects, as the gas is produced by the recycling of organic waste or treating energy crops in an anaerobic digestion plant.

Contact:

REHAU
Hill Court,
Walford,
Ross on Wye,
Herefordshire,
HR9 5QN

Email address: [email protected]
Tel: 01989 72600

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