RHI applications for non-domestic surge ahead
Applications for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) trebled in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. The surge is attributed to a high number of applications for small biomass boilers in June following the degression announcement for small biomass in May 2014.
Detailed figures from the Department of Energy & Climate Change for the non-domestic RHI report 6932 applications for the scheme since it opened in November 2011 and up to the end of June 2014. The schemes have a combined capacity of nearly 1.2 GW, an average of 170 kW.
4826 applications have subsequently been accredited, with a combined capacity of 853 MW. Of those accreditations, 3953 receive a payment for heat generated under the scheme.
In the second quarter of 2014, there were 1826 applications to join the non-domestic scheme — 66% higher than the first quarter and over three times the number of applications in the same quarter of 2013.
Since the launch, over 80% of applications and accreditations were for small biomass boilers. Small and medium biomass boilers were responsible for 93% of accreditations and accreditations.
Heat output receiving RHI payments totalled 1.4 TWH*. 95% of that total was due to biomass boilers. Solar thermal and heat pumps were less than 1% between them, with 345 installations receiving payments.
35% of that heat output was from small biomass boilers (1000 kW).
* TWH is a million MWH)
