New renewable heat rules strengthen industry safeguards

  • Government confirm they will amend how wood fuel and waste can be dried as part of the renewable heat incentive
  • Will benefit many responsible companies, but need to ensure that innovative companies aren’t punished 

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy has released it’s response to the consultation The Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive: further proposed amendments and has confirmed its intention to restrict certain types of fuel drying that are supported under the Renewable Heat Incentive, the UK’s flagship heat decarbonisation scheme.

Frank Aaskov, policy analyst at the Renewable Energy Association and Wood Heat Association said:

“We welcome the principle of limiting eligible heat uses to ensure the scheme is used responsibly. The central goal of the RHI is to drive down emissions from the heating sector in a cost effective manner, and we must not be lost sight of that. The RHI is a complex scheme and the new rules will need to be tested and be open to change to ensure innovative companies aren’t being punished.”

Dr Kiara Zennaro, Head of Biogas at the Renewable Energy Association said:

“The UK has robust and growing biogas and energy-from-waste sectors which include companies making biofuels from coffee grounds, green gas from food waste and transforming black-bag waste and waste packaging removed from food waste into electricity, heat and biofuels for transport. Many of these processes require the waste to be dried and prepared but we are concerned that this heat use is no longer eligible.”

“While there are positive aspects of this consultation this change could be a backwards step for the circular and bio-economies.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Daniel Brown
Media and External Affairs Officer
+44 (0)20 7981 0857
[email protected]

Notes to editors

About the Renewable Energy Association (REA)

The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and recycling. It is the largest renewable energy and clean technology (including energy storage and electric vehicles) trade association in the UK, with around 550 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders.

For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net

About the Wood Heat Association (WHA)

The WHA is the UK trade association for the modern wood heating and related biomass heating industry including wood fuel suppliers, biomass boiler and stove installers and distributors, and anyone involved in the supply chain. The WHA is a fully owned subsidiary of the Renewable Energy Association. Members range in size from major multinationals to sole traders.
http://www.woodheatassociation.org.uk/