The Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009, No. 154 (as amended)

The Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 is a piece of legislation designed to promote the generation of electricity from renewable sources within Northern Ireland. Its primary purpose is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security by incentivizing the production of clean and sustainable energy.

Under this order, certain electricity suppliers and generators are obligated to source a specified percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This is known as the renewables obligation (RO). The order sets out the requirements for eligible renewable technologies, including wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, and certain types of waste-to-energy projects. These eligible generators receive Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for each megawatt-hour of electricity they produce from qualifying renewable sources.

Electricity suppliers, in turn, have an obligation to acquire a certain number of ROCs corresponding to a portion of their electricity supply. The number of ROCs required depends on the total electricity supplied and the percentage set by the government. This mechanism creates a financial incentive for suppliers to support and invest in renewable energy projects.

The Renewables Obligation Order applies to electricity suppliers, which are defined entities providing electricity to end-users, and to eligible renewable generators located in Northern Ireland or connected to the Northern Ireland electricity network. The order establishes reporting and compliance mechanisms to ensure that suppliers meet their obligations and that the generated renewable energy meets the necessary criteria.

In summary, the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 establishes a regulatory framework to promote the use of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. It requires electricity suppliers and eligible generators to participate in the Renewables Obligation scheme, contributing to the growth of the renewable energy sector while helping Northern Ireland move towards a more sustainable and low-carbon energy future.

The Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 outlines specific evidence requirements that renewable energy generators must fulfill to participate in the scheme and receive Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for their electricity production. These evidence requirements are in place to ensure transparency, accountability, and the credibility of the generated renewable energy. The key evidence requirements include:

1. Accreditation: Renewable generators must apply for accreditation to demonstrate their eligibility for ROCs. This involves providing detailed information about the project, its location, the technology used, and the anticipated electricity generation. This accreditation process is necessary to verify that the project meets the criteria for a recognized renewable energy technology.
2. Metering and Monitoring: Accurate metering and monitoring systems must be in place to measure the actual electricity generation from the renewable source. This evidence is crucial for verifying the amount of renewable energy produced and for calculating the number of ROCs to be issued.
3. Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs): Generators receive ROCs based on the amount of eligible renewable electricity they produce. These certificates serve as evidence of compliance with the Renewables Obligation scheme. ROCs are tradable and can be sold to obligated suppliers to meet their obligations.
4. Reporting and Auditing: Renewable generators are required to submit regular reports detailing their electricity generation and other relevant information. These reports undergo auditing processes to ensure accuracy and compliance. Audits may be conducted by relevant authorities to verify that the reported data aligns with the actual renewable energy output.
5. Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs): In addition to ROCs, generators may also need to obtain Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) to prove the renewable nature of their electricity. REGOs provide evidence that the energy was produced using eligible renewable sources.
6. Environmental Information: Generators may need to provide additional environmental information to demonstrate compliance with sustainability criteria. This could include details about the environmental impact assessment of the project and its adherence to relevant regulations.
7. Notification of Changes: If there are any significant changes to the generator's project, technology, or other relevant aspects, the generator must notify the appropriate authorities. This ensures that the information remains accurate and up-to-date.

These evidence requirements collectively aim to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the Renewables Obligation scheme by guaranteeing that only genuine renewable energy projects receive support and recognition. The thorough verification processes provide confidence to investors, stakeholders, and the public that the renewable energy being generated contributes to sustainable and low-carbon energy goals in Northern Ireland.