Air quality

The use of biomass fuels under the RHI is subject to their impact on air quality

The government’s approach to the proposed criteria was announced in the response to this consultation.

Proposed criteria

• The requirement will apply to all plant up to 20MWth
• The limits will be 30g/GJ for particulate matters (PMs) and 150g/GJ for nitrous oxide (NOx)
• The limits will apply only to installations accredited on or after the date on which the regulations come into force
• Once accredited, installations will not be affected by any future changes to the air quality requirements

Timetable for introduction

The changes will need approval from the EU. DECC hopes to make changes

in Autumn 2013 and no later than end 2013