The Renewables Obligation (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013

Made26th June 2013

Coming into operation1st July 2013

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (“the Department”) makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by Articles 52 to 55F and 66(3) of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 20031.

The Department has consulted the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, electricity suppliers to whom this Order applies, and such generators of electricity from renewable sources in Northern Ireland and other persons as it considered appropriate in accordance with Article 55E of that Order.

In accordance with Article 66(2) of that Order a draft of this instrument was laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation1

1

This Order may be cited as the Renewables Obligation (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 and comes into operation on 1st July 2013.

2

In this Order, “the 2009 Order” means the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 20092.

Substitution of Article 26 (qualifying combined heat and power generating stations)2

For Article 26 of the 2009 Order substitute—

Electricity generated by qualifying combined heat and power generating stations26
1
This Article applies to electricity—
a
which is generated by a qualifying combined heat and power generating station in a way described in the first column of Part 2C of Schedule 2,
b
to which none of Articles 26A to 26E apply, and
c
which is generated by a generating station to which Article 27 does not apply.
2
Subject to paragraphs (3) to (7), the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC issued in respect of electricity to which this Article applies is to be determined in accordance with Article 25(4) to (8).
3
Where electricity to which this Article applies is generated using pre-2013 capacity, the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC is—
a
in respect of the qualifying proportion of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the second column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule; and
b
in respect of the remainder of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the third column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule.
4
Where a declaration has been made in accordance with paragraph (8) in respect of the 2013/15 capacity of a station, and electricity to which this Article applies is generated by that station using 2013/15 capacity, the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC is—
a
in respect of the qualifying proportion of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the second column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule; and
b
in respect of the remainder of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the third column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule.
5
Where a declaration has been made in accordance with paragraph (8) in respect of the summer 2015/16 capacity of a station, and electricity to which this Article applies is generated by that station using summer 2015/16 capacity, the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC is—
a
in respect of the qualifying proportion of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the second column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule; and
b
in respect of the remainder of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the third column of Part 2C of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule.
6
Where a declaration has been made in accordance with paragraph (8) in respect of the winter 2015/16 capacity of a station, and electricity to which this Article applies is generated by that station using winter 2015/16 capacity, the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC is—
a
in respect of the qualifying proportion of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the second column of Part 2D of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule; and
b
in respect of the remainder of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the third column of Part 2D of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule.
7
Where a declaration has been made in accordance with paragraph (8) in respect of the post-2016 capacity of a station, and electricity to which this Article applies is generated by that station using post-2016 capacity, the amount of electricity to be stated in each NIROC is—
a
in respect of the qualifying proportion of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the second column of Part 2E of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule; and
b
in respect of the remainder of that electricity, the amount of electricity in the third column of Part 2E of Schedule 2 which corresponds to the description of the way in which the electricity is generated in the first column of that Part of that Schedule.
8
A declaration is made in accordance with this paragraph if it meets the following conditions—
a
it is made by the operator of the generating station to the Authority in writing,
b
it is made in respect of the 2013/15 capacity, summer 2015/16 capacity, winter 2015/16 capacity or post-2016 capacity of the station,
c
in the case of a declaration made in respect of the 2013/15 capacity of the station, it confirms that—
i
2013/15 capacity forms part of the total installed capacity of the station, and
ii
support has not been given under any relevant scheme for heat produced by the use of that generating capacity,
d
in the case of a declaration made in respect of the summer 2015/16 capacity of the station, it confirms that—
i
summer 2015/16 capacity forms part of the total installed capacity of the station, and
ii
support has not been given under any relevant scheme for heat produced by the use of that generating capacity,
e
in the case of a declaration made in respect of the winter 2015/16 capacity of the station it confirms that—
i
winter 2015/16 capacity forms part of the total installed capacity of the station, and
ii
none of the heat produced by the use of the winter 2015/16 capacity is eligible for support under a relevant scheme for reasons that include one or both of the following—
aa
the way in which the station generates electricity;
bb
the biomass, bioliquid or energy crops used by the station to generate electricity.
f
in the case of a declaration made in respect of the post-2016 capacity of the station, it confirms that—
i
post-2016 capacity forms part of the total installed capacity of the station, and
ii
none of the heat produced by the use of the post-2016 capacity is eligible for support under a relevant scheme for reasons that include one or both of the following—
aa
the way in which the station generates electricity;
bb
the biomass, bioliquid or energy crops used by the station to generate electricity, and
g
it states that, for so long as the station generates electricity in respect of which NIROCs may be issued, the operator of the station will not claim support under any relevant scheme for heat produced by the station using the type of generating capacity in respect of which the declaration is made.
9
In this Article, “summer 2015/16 capacity” means—
a
in relation to a generating station accredited on or before 31st March 2015, any capacity which—
i
in the Authority’s view, forms part of the station from a date no earlier than 1st April 2015 and no later than 30th September 2015, and
ii
does not form part of the capacity of the station as accredited;
b
in relation to a generating station which—
i
was not accredited on or before 31st March 2015, and
ii
was accredited on or before 30th September 2015,
the capacity of the station as accredited together with any additional capacity which, in the Authority’s view, forms part of the station from a date no later than 30th September 2015.
10
In this Article, “winter 2015/16 capacity” means—
a
in relation to a generating station accredited on or before 30th September 2015, any capacity which—
i
in the Authority’s view, forms part of the station from a date no earlier than 1st October 2015 and no later than 31st March 2016, and
ii
does not form part of the capacity of the station as accredited;
b
in relation to a generating station which—
i
was not accredited on or before 30th September 2015, and
ii
was accredited on or before 31st March 2016,
the capacity of the station as accredited, together with any additional capacity which, in the Authority’s view, forms part of the station from a date no later than 31st March 2016.
11
A declaration made in accordance with paragraph (8) cannot be withdrawn.
12
In this Article, “relevant scheme” means a scheme established by the Department in exercise of the power in section 113(1)(a) of the Energy Act 20083.
13
This Article is subject to Article 30.

Amount of electricity to be stated in NIROCs issued for electricity generated using pre-2013 capacity, 2013/15 capacity, summer 2015/16 capacity, winter 2015/16 capacity or post 2016 capacity3

For parts 2C to 2E of Schedule 2 to the 2009 Order substitute—

PART 2CAMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY TO BE STATED IN NIROCs ISSUED FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATED USING PRE-2013 CAPACITY, 2013/15 CAPACITY OR SUMMER 2015/16 CAPACITY WHERE ARTICLE 26(1), (3), (4) OR (5) APPLIES
Article 26(1), (3), (4) and (5)
Generation type
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using pre-2013 capacity, 2013/15 capacity or summer 2015/16 capacity
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using pre-2013 capacity, 2013/15 capacity or summer 2015/16 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP
1
2
Dedicated biomass with CHP
$\frac{1}{2}$
$\frac{2}{3}$
High-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{5}{7}$
$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP
1
2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{10}{11}$
$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1
Unit conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1
PART 2DAMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY TO BE STATED IN NIROCs ISSUED FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATED USING WINTER 2015/16 CAPACITY WHERE ARTICLE 26(6) APPLIES
Article 26(6)
Generation type
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using winter 2015/16 capacity
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using winter 2015/16 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP
1
2
Dedicated biomass with CHP
$\frac{10}{19}$
$\frac{2}{3}$
High-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{5}{7}$
$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP
1
2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{10}{11}$
$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1
Unit conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1
PART 2EAMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY TO BE STATED IN NIROCs ISSUED FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATED USING POST-2016 CAPACITY WHERE ARTICLE 26(7) APPLIES
Article 26(7)
Generation type
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using post-2016 capacity
Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using post-2016 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP
1
2
Dedicated biomass with CHP
$\frac{5}{9}$
$\frac{5}{7}$
High-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{5}{7}$
$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP
1
2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP
$\frac{10}{11}$
$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1
Unit conversion with CHP
$\frac{2}{3}$
1

Generation type	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using pre-2013 capacity, 2013/15 capacity or summer 2015/16 capacity	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using pre-2013 capacity, 2013/15 capacity or summer 2015/16 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP	1	2
Dedicated biomass with CHP	$\frac{1}{2}$	$\frac{2}{3}$
High-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{5}{7}$	$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP	1	2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{10}{11}$	$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1
Unit conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1

Generation type	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using winter 2015/16 capacity	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using winter 2015/16 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP	1	2
Dedicated biomass with CHP	$\frac{10}{19}$	$\frac{2}{3}$
High-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{5}{7}$	$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP	1	2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{10}{11}$	$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1
Unit conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1

Generation type	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the qualifying proportion of electricity generated using post-2016 capacity	Amount of electricity (in megawatt hours) to be stated in a NIROC issued in respect of the remainder of the electricity generated using post-2016 capacity
Co-firing of regular bioliquid with CHP	1	2
Dedicated biomass with CHP	$\frac{5}{9}$	$\frac{5}{7}$
High-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{5}{7}$	$\frac{10}{9}$
Low-range co-firing with CHP	1	2
Mid-range co-firing with CHP	$\frac{10}{11}$	$\frac{5}{3}$
Station conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1
Unit conversion with CHP	$\frac{2}{3}$	1

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on 26th June 2013.

A.F. HepperA senior officer of theDepartment of Enterprise, Trade and Investment

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (“the 2009 Order”) and makes transitional provision.

The 2009 Order imposes an obligation (“the renewables obligation”) on all electricity suppliers which supply electricity in Northern Ireland. Suppliers must produce, by a specified day, a certain number of renewables obligation certificates (“NIROCs”) in respect of each megawatt hour of electricity that each supplies in Northern Ireland during a specified period known as an obligation period. The renewables obligation is administered by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (“the Authority”) who issue NIROCs to renewable electricity generators in respect of their renewable output.

Article 2 substitutes Article 26 of the 2009 Order to replace the provisions for determining the amount of electricity which is eligible for a higher level of support by virtue of being generated by a qualifying combined heat and power generating station, and for determining what that higher level of support should be. The new bands are set out in Parts 2C to 2E of Schedule 2 to the 2009 Order, as inserted by Article 3.

An explanatory memorandum is available alongside the Order on www.legislation.gov.uk.