Biomass boilers to face emissions limits under RHI

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publishes update on emissions level under Renewable Heat Incentive. 

Biomass boilers will only quality for payment under the Renewable Heat Incentive if they keep their emissions below certain levels, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed.

In an update on the Renewable Heat Incentive and Clean Air Act issued on Thursday (June 7) , the Department confirmed that plans published in a paper in August 2011 by Defra, DECC, Ofgem are being taken forward. The paper proposed that support under the RHI is restricted to boilers capable of complying with limits of 30g/GJ particulate matter and 150g/GJ nitrogen oxides.

The level of RHI will link in with pollution controls over biomass boilers

The RHI was introduced in the UK in November 2011 to support the generation of renewable heat energy. The government’s aim is that by 2020, 12% of heating should come from renewable sources.

Defra said: “We expect the procedures set out in the paper will be the mechanism for demonstrating compliance with the emission limits and will be introduced between November 2012 and April 2013.

Clearance

“Subject to ministerial clearance and formal consultation, the limits of 30g/GJ (particulate matter) and 150g/GJ (oxides of nitrogen) will become criteria for RHI support, as assessed in accordance with the August 2011 methodology.”

Related links

Defra update