The non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) closed to new applicants on 31 March 2021. The domestic RHI closed to new applicants on 31 March 2022.
The information in this resource is intended for reference only.
The eligibility criteria for the RHI are much more involved than those for the FIT. This is because of the different configurations of heating installations and Ofgem, as the administrators, require a number of questions to be answered and evidence to be provided to demonstrate that the eligibility criteria are being fulfilled.
Heat metering is a key area where evidence is required. Schemes are classified as
‘standard’ or ‘multiple’. This depends on how the heat is generated, transferred around the system and then used. In turn, this dictates the metering requirements.
An example of a standard scheme might be a biomass boiler located in, and being used to fully heat, a single building. This would require only a single heat meter to be installed.
An example of a multiple scheme would be the inclusion of other heat sources, such as back-up fossil fuel boilers in the boiler room, this adds to system complexity and has the potential to introduce metering requirements for each generating plant and the provision of a heat loss assessment to account for heat losses from external pipework. In applying to the RHI you will need to follow a number of steps:
- Complete your renewable heat installation (ensure it is fully installed and
commissioned). - Gather your documentation: such as commissioning certificates and installation schematic this will enable you to answer Ofgem’s questions.
- Create an account on Ofgem’s Non-Domestic RHI register.
- Complete application form.
- Upload evidence.
- Verify identity and bank details.
Ofgem may well raise questions during the application process. Ensuring you have collated all the relevant documentation and information about your installation against point 2 above will facilitate responding to any questions that they may raise. The aforementioned links provide significant information that will help guide you through the process and ensure you fully understand what information is needed. Ofgem have developed short user-friendly guides based upon their experience to date of dealing with accreditations.
Post acceptance responsibilities
Following receipt of your RHI accreditation, it is important to bear in mind that there are a number of ongoing obligations to comply with the RHI regulations. To comply with the RHI, you will be responsible for the following:
- Taking meter readings and submitting your meter readings to Ofgem online on a quarterly basis.
- • Regular maintenance of all equipment and heat meters in line with manufacturers’ instructions and keeping a record of your maintenance schedule.
- For biomass installations keeping purchase receipts covering the quantity of fuel used by biomass heating systems or, if harvesting from your own woodland, a record of deliveries made to the boiler house, including a note of where the harvesting has taken place. Ofgem has produced the ‘Guide to keeping records for participants using 100% biomass fuel’.
- RHI participants using biomass fuel also need to ensure that their fuel meets the RHI sustainability criteria and demonstrate this to Ofgem in order to claim RHI payments. Fuel must meet a lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions criteria of 60 per cent GHG savings against the EU fossil fuel average. To ensure this is the case, all fuel should be purchased from a supplier listed on the Biomass Suppliers List (see ‘Further Information’).
- Notifying Ofgem of any significant changes to your installation or heat use.
- Submitting an annual declaration confirming compliance with your obligations.
At any time, a scheme participant may be selected for an audit, a site inspection or both.
