Scottish Renewables React to Government’s Renewable Heat Consultation

In response to the publication today of the UK Government’s reaction to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) consultation, Stephanie Clark, Policy Manager at Scottish Renewables, said the following:

“As heat accounts for more than half of all the energy used in Scotland, and 45% of energy use across the UK, it is crucial that we continue to press ahead with cutting carbon emissions from this sector if we are to meet our legally-binding climate change targets.

“The RHI has played a pivotal role in encouraging the use of renewable heat to date, and today’s announcement to continue support across the sector provides our industry with much needed certainty. In particular we are pleased that government has listened to industry’s arguments to continue supporting solar thermal technologies under both domestic and non-domestic parts of the scheme.”

Key elements of the announcement include:

• Continued support for solar thermal in both the domestic and non-domestic RHI
• Increased tariffs for new heat pumps
• Biomass remains a key part for the scheme and will continue to be supported with increased support for large and industrial projects
• Introduction of tariff guarantees will be introduced for large biomass boilers; large biogas plant; ground source heat pumps; and all capacities of biomethane; biomass-CHP and deep geothermal plant.

“The UK Government still has a very long way to go if it is to have any chance of meeting its 2020 renewable energy target. Decarbonising the heat we use in our homes, businesses and industry lies at the heart of action to clean up our energy system and tackle climate change.

“We will continue to look at the detail of the government’s announcement with our members to fully assess the impact these changes will have on the future growth of Scotland’s renewable heat industry.”