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The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Regulations 2017

S.I. 2017/1234 · Made 7 December 2017

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

Electricity

Made 7th December 2017

Laid before Parliament 11th December 2017

Coming into force 1st January 2018

The Secretary of State, being a Minister designatedf1 for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972f2 in relation to energy and energy sources, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(2) of that Act:

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

See article 6 of S.I. 2010/761.

f2

1972 c.68. Section 2(2) was amended by section 27 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c.51) and Part 1 of the Schedule to the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (c.7). Section 57(1) of the Scotland Act 1998 (c.46) provides that, despite the transfer to the Scottish Ministers of functions in relation to observing and implementing obligations under EU law, any function of a Minister of the Crown shall continue to be exercisable by the Minister as regards Scotland for the purposes specified in section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

Contents

  1. 1Citation, commencement and extent
  2. 2Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015
  3. 3Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015
  4. 4Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015
  5. 5Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015
  6. 6Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015
  7. 7Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009
  8. 8Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009
  9. 9Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009
  10. 10Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009
  11. 11Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009
  12. 12Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
  13. 13Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
  14. 14Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
  15. 15Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
  16. 16Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
  17. Signature
  18. Explanatory note

1Citation, commencement and extent

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Regulations 2017.

(2)

These Regulations come into force on 1st January 2018.

(3)

Any amendment made by these Regulations has the same extent as the provision to which it relates.

2Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015

The Renewables Obligation Order 2015f1 is amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 6.

3Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015

(1)

Article 2 (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (1) for paragraph (b) of the definition of “waste” substitute—

“(b)

does not include landfill gas, sewage gas or any substance intentionally modified or contaminated to fall within the meaning of “waste” given in Article 3(1) of that Directivef1.”.

(3)

After paragraph (6) insert—

“(7)

A reference in this Order to residue does not, in the case of residue from processing, include a reference to any substance that is a primary aim of a production process or that the process has been deliberately modified to produce.”.

4Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015

(1)

Article 82 (information to be provided to the Authority where electricity is generated from biomass) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (4)—

(a)

at the end of sub-paragraph (d) omit “and”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (e)(v) for “softwood.” substitute “softwood; and”;

(c)

after sub-paragraph (e) insert—

“(f)

where the biomass was bioliquid used in a generating station on or after 1st January 2018, its energy content produced from each of the following categories of crop—

(i)

starch-rich crops;

(ii)

sugars;

(iii)

oil crops;

(iv)

any other crops grown as a main crop primarily for energy purposes on agricultural land.”.

(3)

In paragraph (10)—

(a)

at the end of the definition of “protected or threatened species” omit “and”;

(b)

in the definition of “saw log” for “sawmill.” substitute “sawmill; and”;

(c)

after the definition of “saw log” insert—

  • ““starch-rich crops” includes—

    1. (a)

      cereals (regardless of whether only the grains are used or the whole plant (such as in the case of green maize) is used);

    2. (b)

      tubers and root crops (such as potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams); and

    3. (c)

      corm crops (such as taro and cocoyam).”.

5Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015

(1)

Schedule 1 (greenhouse gas criteria for bioliquid) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 1 (interpretation)—

(a)

omit the definition of “disaggregated default values for cultivation”;

(b)

for the definition of “relevant percentage” substitute—

  • ““relevant percentage” means—

    1. (a)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial before 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017;

    2. (b)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial on or after 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017 but before 1st January 2018;

      3. (iii)

        60% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2018.”.

(3)

Omit paragraph 5.

(4)

For paragraph 6 substitute—

“6.

The default percentage must not be used in relation to bioliquid described in the first column of Part A or Part B of Annex 5 to the Renewables Directivef1 unless, in relation to the bioliquid, the result of the calculation in paragraph 7 of Part C of that Annex is equal to, or less than, zero.”.

6Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order 2015

(1)

Schedule 3 (land criteria) is amended as follows.

(2)

Renumber paragraph 1 (interpretation) as sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph.

(3)

In paragraph 1 after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2)

A reference in this Schedule to residue from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry—

(a)

is a reference to residue directly generated by (as the case may be) agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry; and

(b)

does not include a reference to residue from related industries or residue from processing.”.

7Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

The Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009f1 is amended in accordance with regulations 8 to 11.

8Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

(1)

Article 2 (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (1) for paragraph (b) of the definition of “waste” substitute—

“(b)

does not include landfill gas, sewage gas or any substance intentionally modified or contaminated to fall within the meaning of “waste” given in Article 3(1) of that Directive.”.

(3)

After paragraph (8) insert—

“(9)

A reference in this Order to residue does not, in the case of residue from processing, include a reference to any substance that is a primary aim of a production process or that the process has been deliberately modified to produce.”.

9Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

(1)

Article 54 (information to be provided to the Authority where electricity is generated from biomass) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (4)—

(a)

at the end of sub-paragraph (d) omit “and”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (e)(v) for “softwood.” substitute “softwood; and”;

(c)

after sub-paragraph (e) insert—

“(f)

where the biomass was bioliquid used in a generating station on or after 1st January 2018, its energy content produced from each of the following categories of crop—

(i)

starch-rich crops;

(ii)

sugars;

(iii)

oil crops;

(iv)

any other crops grown as a main crop primarily for energy purposes on agricultural land.”.

(3)

In paragraph (10)—

(a)

at the end of the definition of “protected or threatened species” omit “and”;

(b)

in the definition of “saw log” for “sawmill.” substitute “sawmill; and”;

(c)

after the definition of “saw log” insert—

  • ““starch-rich crops” includes—

    1. (a)

      cereals (regardless of whether only the grains are used or the whole plant (such as in the case of green maize) is used);

    2. (b)

      tubers and root crops (such as potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams); and

    3. (c)

      corm crops (such as taro and cocoyam).”.

10Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

(1)

Schedule A1 (greenhouse gas emission criteria for bioliquid) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 1 (interpretation)—

(a)

omit the definition of “disaggregated default values for cultivation”;

(b)

for the definition of “relevant percentage” substitute—

  • ““relevant percentage” means—

    1. (a)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial before 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017;

    2. (b)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial on or after 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017 but before 1st January 2018;

      3. (iii)

        60% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2018.”.

(3)

Omit paragraph 5.

(4)

For paragraph 6 substitute—

“6.

The default percentage must not be used for the purposes of paragraph 2 unless, in relation to the bioliquid, the result of the calculation in paragraph 7 of Part C of Annex 5 to the Renewables Directivef1 is equal to, or less than, zero.”.

11Amendments to Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009

(1)

Schedule A2 (land criteria) is amended as follows.

(2)

Renumber paragraph 1 (interpretation) as sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph.

(3)

In paragraph 1 after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2)

A reference in this Schedule to residue from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry—

(a)

is a reference to residue directly generated by (as the case may be) agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry; and

(b)

does not include a reference to residue from related industries or residue from processing.”.

12Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

The Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009f1 is amended in accordance with regulations 13 to 16.

13Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

(1)

Article 2 (interpretation) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (1) for paragraph (b) of the definition of “waste” substitute—

“(b)

does not include landfill gas, sewage gas or any substance intentionally modified or contaminated to fall within the meaning of “waste” given in Article 3(1) of that Directive.”.

(3)

After paragraph (7) insert—

“(8)

A reference in this Order to residue does not, in the case of residue from processing, include a reference to any substance that is a primary aim of a production process or that the process has been deliberately modified to produce.”.

14Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

(1)

Article 46 (information to be provided to the Authority where electricity is generated from biomass) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph (4)—

(a)

at the end of sub-paragraph (d) omit “and”;

(b)

in sub-paragraph (e)(v) for “softwood.” substitute “softwood; and”;

(c)

after sub-paragraph (e) insert—

“(f)

where the biomass was bioliquid used in a generating station on or after 1st January 2018, its energy content produced from each of the following categories of crop—

(i)

starch-rich crops;

(ii)

sugars;

(iii)

oil crops;

(iv)

any other crops grown as a main crop primarily for energy purposes on agricultural land.”.

(3)

In paragraph (10)—

(a)

at the end of the definition of “protected or threatened species” omit “and”;

(b)

in the definition of “saw log” for “sawmill.” substitute “sawmill; and”;

(c)

after the definition of “saw log” insert—

  • ““starch-rich crops” includes—

    1. (a)

      cereals (regardless of whether only the grains are used or the whole plant (such as in the case of green maize) is used);

    2. (b)

      tubers and root crops (such as potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes, cassava and yams); and

    3. (c)

      corm crops (such as taro and cocoyam).”.

15Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

(1)

Schedule A1 (greenhouse gas emission criteria for bioliquid) is amended as follows.

(2)

In paragraph 1 (interpretation)—

(a)

omit the definition of “disaggregated default values for cultivation”;

(b)

for the definition of “relevant percentage” substitute—

  • ““relevant percentage” means—

    1. (a)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial before 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017;

    2. (b)

      in relation to bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial on or after 6th October 2015—

      1. (i)

        35% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity before 1st January 2017;

      2. (ii)

        50% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2017 but before 1st January 2018;

      3. (iii)

        60% in the case of bioliquid used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2018.”.

(3)

Omit paragraph 5.

(4)

For paragraph 6 substitute—

“6.

The default percentage must not be used for the purposes of paragraph 2 unless, in relation to the bioliquid, the result of the calculation in paragraph 7 of Part C of Annex 5 to the Renewables Directivef1 is equal to, or less than, zero.”.

16Amendments to Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

(1)

Schedule A2 (land criteria) is amended as follows.

(2)

Renumber paragraph 1 (interpretation) as sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph.

(3)

In paragraph 1 after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2)

A reference in this Schedule to residue from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry—

(a)

is a reference to residue directly generated by (as the case may be) agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry; and

(b)

does not include a reference to residue from related industries or residue from processing.”.

Signature

Richard Harrington

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Energy and Industry

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

7th December 2017

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the following Orders (the “Renewables Obligation Orders”)—

  • the Renewables Obligation Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1947) (the “ROO”);

  • the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/140) (the “ROSO”); and

  • the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/154) (the “ROONI”).

These Regulations transpose, in relation to the Renewables Obligation Orders, amendments to Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (the “Renewables Directive”) made by Directive (EU) 2015/1513 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9th September 2015 amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources.

The changes made by these Regulations to the Renewables Obligation Orders are as follows—

  • It is provided that the term “waste” does not include any substance intentionally modified or contaminated to fall within the definition of “waste” in Article 3(1) of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19th November 2008 on waste (see amended definition of “waste” in article 2(1) of each of the Renewables Obligation Orders).

  • It is provided that references to residue do not, in the case of residue from processing, include references to any substance that is a primary aim of a production process or that the process has been deliberately modified to produce (see new article 2(7) of the ROO; new article 2(9) of the ROSO; and new article 2(8) of the ROONI).

  • Operators of generating stations (other than microgenerators) that generate electricity from bioliquid must provide Ofgem with information about the energy content of the bioliquid produced from certain categories of crop (see amendments to article 82 of the ROO; to article 54 of the ROSO; and to article 46 of the ROONI).

  • The minimum greenhouse gas emissions savings that must be achieved before renewables obligation certificates may be issued in respect of the generation of electricity from bioliquid is increased from 50% to 60% in certain cases (see the new definition of “relevant percentage” in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the ROO; in paragraph 1 of Schedule A1 to the ROSO; and in paragraph 1 of Schedule A1 to the ROONI). The effect of the amendment is that the higher minimum applies in all cases where bioliquid produced by an installation that started producing liquid fuel from biomaterial on or after 6th October 2015 is used to generate electricity on or after 1st January 2018.

  • Certain restrictions on using default values set out in Annex 5 to the Renewables Directive to calculate greenhouse gas emission savings from the use of a bioliquid are removed. For example, the default values may now be used irrespective of whether the biomaterial from which the bioliquid is made was cultivated within or outside the European Union (see amendments to paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule 1 to the ROO; to paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule A1 to the ROSO; and to paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule A1 to the ROONI).

  • Renewables obligation certificates may not be issued in respect of electricity generated from bioliquid or, subject to exceptions, from solid and gaseous biomass unless the fuel meets the “land criteria” (see articles 61 and 63 of the ROO; articles 22ZA and 22A of the ROSO; and articles 21ZA and 21A of the ROONI). It is provided that references to residue from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry are references to residue directly generated by such industries (see new paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 3 to the ROO; new paragraph 1(2) of Schedule A2 to the ROSO; and new paragraph 1(2) of Schedule A2 to the ROONI). The effect is to make clear that fuel (other than woody biomass) made from residue that is not directly generated by agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry but by related industries or processing will meet the land criteria in all cases. The position is unchanged for fuel made from residue directly generated by agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries or forestry. So, for example, bioliquid made from such residue that is obtained from a protected source (as defined) will not meet the land criteria.

An explanatory memorandum and a transposition note are available with these Regulations on www.legislation.gov.uk.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impacts on business or the public or voluntary sectors are foreseen.