Explanatory note

These Regulations apply to Great Britain and amend the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2011 (the “2011 Regulations”) and the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2014 (the “2014 Regulations”). The 2011 Regulations and 2014 Regulations create schemes under which owners of plants which generate heat from specified renewable sources and meet specified criteria, and producers of biomethane for injection, may receive payments at prescribed tariffs for heat used for eligible purposes.

Regulation 3 amends a number of the definitions in the 2011 Regulations. In particular, the definitions of “estimated energy from biomethane” and “estimated spend” have been updated to improve the methodology for biomethane expenditure forecasting.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 13 of the 2011 Regulations to update the technical standards governing the installation of plants generating heat from solid biomass, ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and solar collectors.

Regulations 5 and 6 allow the Authority to reject an application where outstanding information has not been provided by an applicant under the 2011 Regulations within the time period specified in a notice issued by the Authority.

Regulations 7 and 8 update the sustainability criteria in the 2011 Regulations in respect of biomethane and solid biomass. In particular, regulation 7 amends the definition of “sustainable biomethane”.

Regulation 9 amends Schedule 1 to the 2011 Regulations in relation to the methodology to be used by installers when calculating the seasonal performance factor of heat pumps with an installation capacity of 45kWth or below.

Regulation 10 amends the Land Criteria in Schedule 2B of the 2011 Regulations in relation to solid biomass.

Regulation 12 amends the interpretation section of the 2014 Regulations to include reference to the latest methodology to be used by installers when calculating the seasonal performance factor of heat pumps.

Regulation 13 amends regulation 8 of the 2014 Regulations to update the technical standards governing the installation of plants generating heat from biomass plants, ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and solar thermal plants.

A draft of these Regulations was notified to the European Commission in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p.37) as amended by Directive 98/48/EC (OJ L 217, 5.8.1998, p.18).

Documents published on www.microgenerationcertification.org are also available from Gemserv Limited at 8 Fenchurch Place, London, EC3M 4AJ.

The Explanatory Memorandum will be published alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.