8th Report - Changes to the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive scheme payments

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Department for the Economy remains confident in the existing tariff work but commits to a further independent review of the NI Non-Domestic RHI tariffs in the current financial year.

• On tariffs, DfE is "committed to carrying out a further independent review" in the current financial year. Its terms of reference will include consideration of the assumptions within the GB and RoI schemes and how they relate to the NIRHI tariffs.
• On the Republic of Ireland scheme, DfE and UK Government colleagues concluded that there is not the evidence to warrant a complaint to the European Commission. DfE "will continue to monitor the situation".
• The first voluntary buy-out scheme will open for applications in September 2019. Offers will use each participant's individual costs, including indirect costs "in line with the allowable costs set out in the NIRHI guidance", and participants can challenge calculations.
• On hardship, DfE "remains committed to appointing an independent chair" and will do so "as soon as possible". The chair, not the Department, will recommend a definition of hardship.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error