The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) has not met with representatives of the small-scale renewable energy sector to discuss the early closure of the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation (NIRO) for onshore wind.

After representatives of small-scale renewables gave evidence to the Stormont Enterprise, Trade and Investment committee on 19 January, the committee requested that DETI met the representatives.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union, one of the representatives of small-scale renewables, has said “it is frustrated with the unwillingness of DETI to meet and seek a solution”.

A DETI spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday that a request for a meeting from the small-scale sector was received on 27 January and is currently being processed.

DETI launched a two-week consultation in October which stated that the NIRO scheme is to close to onshore wind projects on 1 April 2016, a year earlier than originally announced. There is to be a one-year grace period for projects that had planning permission, a grid connection offer and proof of land ownership on 30 September 2015.

Minister's response

A total of 475 industry responses were submitted to the consultation. On enquiry, the DETI spokesperson yesterday said: “The minister [Jonathan Bell] is considering his response to that consultation in light of responses received.”

In December, the UFU and Simple Power NI announced that they had initiated a judicial review of the DETI’s consultation process on the NIRO closure. Last week, they announced that a leave hearing is scheduled for 26 February.

The possibility of a new incentive for small-scale renewables in NI was speculated at the committee on 19 January. When asked about this, the spokesperson said that the minister’s priority at present was to ensure a timely and managed closure of the NIRO scheme.

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Uncertainty in NI renewable energy sector