# The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Closure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, Regulation 12: Calculation of load factor


(1) The load factor (LF) for an installation is the average of the eight quarterly load factors for the installation for the period 2017 to 2019, expressed as a percentage.
(2) A quarterly load factor is the ratio of heat output for that quarter to maximum possible heat output for that quarter, expressed as a percentage, calculated as—
LFq = Eq / (C x Nq x 24) x 100
where—
(a) LFq is the quarterly load factor (as a percentage),
(b) Eq is the heat output of the installation for that quarter, in kWhth,
(c) C is the capacity of the installation in kWth, and
(d) Nq is the number of days in that quarter.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation, heat output for a quarter (Eq) is calculated by reference to the quarterly meter reading for the installation for that quarter, submitted and adjusted (where applicable) in accordance with the 2012 Regulations.
(4) For the purposes of this regulation, the period 2017 to 2019 is the period with 8 quarter end dates falling between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2019.
(5) If, following a request from a closure participant, the Department considers that—
(a) there are exceptional circumstances, and
(b) there is a compelling reason why a quarterly meter reading is not a fair reflection of the heat output of the installation for that quarter,
the Department may revise the calculation of Eq for that quarter.
(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, the Department may—
(a) select an alternative quarterly meter reading, from the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, where that alternative reading seems to the Department to better reflect the heat output of the installation, or
(b) use the Department’s own estimate of heat output.
(7) A request under paragraph (5) must be received by the Department at least 6 months before the second annual closure payment is due to be paid to the closure participant.
(8) Where the calculation of load factor gives a result of less than 5%, load factor is deemed to be 5%.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nidsr/2026/9780338026613/regulation/12 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-renewable-heat-incentive-scheme-closure-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/regulation-12
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.