Will the RHI go live?
We will keep this page constantly updated with the latest from the Coalition Government on the RHI
We are getting a lot of enquiries from interested and concerned visitors to this website about the Coalition Government's stance towards the RHI and whether they will push the scheme through.
The current situation is as follows:
The Government has confirmed that renewable heat is important and it recognises that efforts need to be made to dramatically increase the amount of renewable heat generation in the UK.
The Government has some concerns about the RHI itself, mainly how it will be paid for and whether it will unfairly affect certain types of people.
The Government recognises that by delaying in making any statements on the RHI, it is causing damaging uncertainty to the industry and amongst potential renewable heat investors.
When will an announcement be made?
It is expected as part of the Spending Review in late October
The latest official statement:
Secretary of State for Energy, Chris Huhne (September 15th) at Energy & Climate Change Select Committee meeting:
FIRST POSITIVE STATEMENT IN WEEKS!
“I forgot to put the RHI in the coalition negotiations,” Huhne told the committee. “So people saw these incredibly detailed documents coming out about other incentives and programmes but nothing on the RHI.”
Huhne strongly backed the RHI, or a programme of similar scope, in his appearance before the select committee.
“Make no mistake we see heat as essential to meeting the 15 per cent [renewables] targets by 2020,” he said. "I don’t think it will be possible to meet them without heat measures."
Energy Statement made by DECC on July 27th:
"This Government is fully committed to taking action on renewable heat. The Government is considering responses to the Renewable Heat Incentive consultation and will set out detailed proposals on how to take forward action on renewable heat through the Spending Review."
Secretary of State for Energy, Chris Huhne (July 27th):
"On the renewable heat incentive, the [energy] statement is clear about our commitment to renewable heat, which is absolutely essential if we are to meet our target. The hon. Gentleman has to appreciate that the country is facing an exceptionally severe fiscal crisis and that it is inevitable that we deal with these matters in the context of the spending review. However, people in the sector can take considerable comfort from my words today about renewable heat."
Energy Minister, Greg Barker (June 15th):
"The Government are committed to increasing the amount of renewable heat in the UK; this is a crucial part of ensuring we meet our renewables targets, cutting carbon and ensuring energy security. We are currently looking at the renewable heat incentive (RHI) proposals. Clearly there are benefits to the scheme, but we must also consider the impact of the costs, particularly given the financial constraints we must work within and the potential impact that funding options could have on vulnerable people. We are aware that there is uncertainty in the renewable heating industry and want to provide certainty and clarity as quickly as possible, but must make sure that we make the right decision. We will look to make an announcement on the future of the proposed scheme as soon as possible."
