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A six-week consultation on the closure of the NIRO to small-scale wind projects closed on 9 May 2016 and received 126 responses.
On Monday, Minister Hamilton said that approximately 93% of respondents supported the recommendation to close NIRO to new renewable projects in June 2016.
There was support in the renewable industry for a timely closure of NIRO to new projects due to the Department of Energy and Climate Change in Britain introducing a clause in the Energy Act for ‘backstop’ power.
Certificates
This clause would stop energy suppliers in Britain from being able to meet their renewable obligations with renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) from renewable projects in NI that did not meet closure eligibility criteria on 30 September 2015.
With 60% of ROCs produced in NI traded to suppliers in Britain, there was concern that extending NIRO past the eligibility criteria date could reduce the demand and the value of ROCs from any type of technology in NI.
Grace period
A grace period from 1 July 2016 to 31 March 2017 will be introduced to allow projects to become accredited under NIRO that had the eligibility criteria of planning permission, grid connection offer and proof of land ownership on 30 September 2015.
Projects can also still become accredited under NIRO up to 31 March 2018 if they meet conditions surrounding delays due to grid connections or radar issues. Investment-freezing conditions surrounding delays in developers receiving funding will also allow projects to become accredited up to this date.
Full closure in 2017
Up to 31 March 2019, projects seeking accreditation under NIRO will have to meet both conditions for grid connection/radar issues and investment freezing.
The NIRO closed to large-scale wind projects on 1 April 2016 and is due to close to all new installations of non-wind renewable technologies from April 2017.
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