Proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO)

Consultation on the NIRO is taking place at the same time as that for the Renewables Obligation (RO) covering England and Wales and the Renewables Obligation Scotland (ROS). Consistency between the Obligations is desirable where possible in view of the operation of the three Obligations in a UK-wide market for ROCs. However, such consistency is not always possible or appropriate; the fact that NI has devolved responsibility for energy policy means that we may vary from GB in some areas.

The main focus of all three RO consultations is the UK-wide Banding Review which was led by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) with input from the Devolved Administrations. Therefore, many of the proposed changes to ROC levels from April 2013 will apply across all three Renewables Obligations.