Anyone running a biomass-based heating system must comply with new sustainability requirements when they come into force on October 5, 2015, or risk losing entitlement to payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
In addition, according to a warning issued by Ofgem, and communicated to users by the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), compliance with the new requirements must actually be agreed before October 5 to continue receiving the RHI.
Some industry specialists have already warned that users, including farmers, could suffer as a result of the change.
“There is a danger that you (biomass user) will be left with an underspecified system that will leave you or your business with high maintenance and service costs in the future,” commented Calor Gas, marketing manager, Keith Higginson, admittedly speaking as a supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), an obvious alternative fuel to biomass.
He also said, however, that he believed the new supply sustainability criteria for biomass, coupled with the ongoing degression of future RHI payments, could be the “beginning of the end” for this market.
The message from ADBA is certainly less dramatic than that, but no less urgent, especially in terms of highlighting the need for uses to address the requirements before they come into force.
An ADBA workshop on the subject is due to be take place in Ofgem’s London office on Thursday morning this week, August 20.