ROCs review bad for wind, say RenUK

RenewableUK has criticised the Government’s plans to downgrade onshore wind’s Renewable Obligation Certification level as they say it will have a detrimental affect on deployment, almost as much as 2GW […]

RenewableUK has criticised the Government’s plans to downgrade onshore wind’s Renewable Obligation Certification level as they say it will have a detrimental affect on deployment, almost as much as 2GW by 2017, according to their research.

The Government plans to downgrade the level of financial support it provides for onshore wind from 2013 onwards, and offshore wind from 2015. Maria McCaffery, Chief Executive of RenewableUK, said: “Any reduction in financial support will have an impact on the industry, reducing deployment, and potentially jeopardising momentum as we strive to reach our carbon reduction targets. However, we recognise the need to drive down costs across the sector, especially offshore.”

DECC have proposed to lower the amount of support which onshore wind generators will receive from 1 ROC per MWh to 0.9 of a ROC. For offshore wind, the support level would be reduced from 2 ROCs to 1.9 ROCs from April 2015, and to 1.8 ROCs in April 2016.

The renewable energy trade association did however welcome the news for increased support for wave and tidal projects.

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