Early review of the Renewables Obligation band for co-firing of biomass with Combined Heat and Power
Reference Number: 10D/538
Open Date: 29-01-2010
Close Date: 12-03-2010
An early review of the co-firing with combined heat and power (CoCHP) bands (e.g. co-firing of biomass with combined heat and power (CHP) and co-firing of energy crops with CHP) was launched under the Renewables Obligation. Given the narrow technology focus of the banding review, this is a shortened six week consultation.
The decision to launch an early review was taken as it came to attention that an error had been made in the original calculations made for the CoCHP bands that contributed to the final decision on banding level for CoCHP. Note that co-firing of Energy from Waste with CHP is not affected by this error and is outside the remit of this review.
Please also note that we have also identified a typographical error in the consultation document. The table in chapter 3 (and the corresponding is also included as table 3 in Annex A) erroneously refer to a 10% discount rate. These are typographical errors. As is the case in the remainder of the document, a 15% discount rate was used to reach the figures in these tables.
Additional information regarding co-firing with CHP costs
The Department has been asked to provide certain additional information relating to the costs of co-firing of biomass with CHP and co-firing of energy crops with CHP. The error which led to this early review and subsequent consultation was identified in the context of judicial review proceedings. We anticipate that the information in the attached document and enclosures will need to be disclosed as part of those proceedings if the decision taken following this consultation does not render them academic. While we do not consider this information to be necessary in order to respond fully to the consultation we wish to ensure that consultees do not consider themselves to be at a disadvantage if this information is provided to only one consultee.
If you wish to use this material when making representations as part of this consultation these representations will be considered with the other consultation responses. If having considered the information you consider that further time is required to make your comments we would be willing to consider any such request to extend the consultation period.