Peter Robinson, Senior Energy Specialist, Carter Jonas, said: “The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive affects any individual looking to build a new Anaerobic Digestion (AD) or Biomass plant on their land. OfGem has now set out the mechanism for securing Tariff Guarantees for larger scale plants and the application process is expected to open in April 2018. We are waiting for confirmation from the Government on the amount of subsidy available, but we would strongly recommend that any client in the throes of progressing an AD or Biomass plant apply for a Tariff Guarantee as soon as possible. It will lock in the prevailing RHI rate at the time of the application, so can provide more security for anyone building a new plant.

To apply, the site must have planning consent, a gas grid connection and be able to prove financial close within three weeks of the application. There is a very real risk that applicants could miss out on the limited pool of funding if they are not in a position to apply by April 2018.”