Money for nothing – NI non-domestic RHI payments

The Northern Ireland non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was introduced in November 2012. Its aim was to incentivise the uptake of renewable heating technologies by providing participants with subsidies to generate heat from renewable sources, such as biomass.

Despite its best intentions, the failings of the NI RHI are now well known. A loophole in the scheme’s legislation meant participants’ payments were not capped. In addition, it has been argued that the level of available subsidy was greater than the cost of the fuel, prompting many to nickname the scheme “cash for ash”.

In this week’s blog, we look back at the applications that were received under the scheme and link them to some of the key milestones that have been revealed in the ongoing public inquiry.

Related thinking

Net zero corporates and ESG

Q2 2022 All-Island Power Market Outlook to 2030 overview

Our latest All-Island Power Market Outlook to 2030 report provides a taster of the insights from our Q2 All-Island Forward Curve report. Changes to the SEM, GB and European Markets over the last quarter have been incorporated into our models, including delays in commissioning and new capacity plans, to revise...

Energy storage and flexibility

All-Island Power Market Outlook to 2030

This report provides an annual overview of trends for the All-Island Power Market out to 2030 using outputs from Cornwall Insight’s latest forward curve for the All-Island (AI) Single Electricity Market (SEM) covering Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This publication is based on comprehensive market and asset-level power...

Low carbon generation

Week-on-week day-ahead power price losses in the SEM

The first reported week of February 2022 recorded week-on-week day-ahead power price losses in the SEM. Source: SEMO/Cornwall Insight Ireland Despite recent week-on-week price losses, day-ahead power prices remain significantly higher than the prices observed in the opening week of February last year, currently out turning 171.0% higher. Day-ahead power...

E-mobility and low carbon

EV Charge Points

As part of the Climate Action Plan, Ireland has committed to having nearly one million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2030. To help encourage the uptake of EVs, a number of incentives have been put in place such as tax subsidies and generous grants toward the purchase of a new or...

E-mobility and low carbon

EV Demographics: Urban vs. Rural

From a weather and geography standpoint, Ireland is an excellent country for an electric vehicle (EV) takeoff. It is a small island; there is partial national ownership of electrical supply; the climate is relatively mild; and the landscape is EV friendly (there is no major mountain pass or tough terrain through which people must cross). Additionally,...

Power and gas networks

Electricity and gas tariffs on the rise in Ireland

The majority of energy suppliers in the Republic of Ireland have enacted several price rises in one or both electricity and gas tariffs. Figures collated by Eurostat show in the latter half of 2020, Ireland already ranked fourth highest for electricity prices in the EU and seventh highest for gas...

Low carbon generation

Analyse thy neighbour: Interconnectors and their importance to future power prices

Whilst we build towards 2021 and post-Brexit energy markets, focus has been applied to how we in GB strive towards net zero ambitions with a more independent policy agenda. However, regardless of future trading arrangements, interconnectors with EU nations will continue to play a pivotal role in driving wholesale power...

Low carbon generation

Demand trends: August sees highest demand since March

This article was originally published on 25 August 2020 in our ‘SEM and commodity pricing report’.   In this week’s blog we take a look at the latest fundamental developments impacting power prices in the SEM. This will see us take a look at wind generation in the SEM this year, while...