John’s Climate Change Blog
John Findlay expresses his views and opinions on climate change, the potential impact on the way we live and the arguments surrounding the climate change debate.
RHI Delayed Again
The RHI has been delayed again by DECC - at very short notice! DECC announced this early on the very day of the intended launch, see; http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx The 30th September was meant to be a big day for renewable heat with the advent of the RHI for non-domestic systems. The delay is caused by an objection raised by the EC. They believe the tariff for large biomass systems is set too high. DECC's response is to delay the entire RHI launch as opposed to proceeding and sorting out large biomass separately. This is just the latest of many delays, disappointments and backward steps for renewable heat. How long will this take to sort out? Nobody knows. This is exactly what the fledgling sector does NOT need. Especially the heat pump sector which is already struggling with low turnover, business failure and a lack of public confidence in ongoing government support. We need certainty of long term support - not continued bumbling by DECC. And all this on the same day as our government announces an increase of the speed limit. Brilliant. Now we can burn up our finite reserves of oil even faster.Gas up again - and still no news of RHI domestic tariff!
The final 'Big 6' energy supplier today announced a gas price hike of over 15% Electricity is also up by 4.5% The Oil price has been over $110 per barrel throughout 2011, despite a global reduction in demand, so it is now clear that the age of cheap fossil fuel is far behind us. I read yesterday by some sage that the price of oil and gas is actually cheaper today than 25 years ago ---- compared to gold! Now where did I put those gold bars I stashed away?! Heat pumps are the obvious answer for affordable, renewable heating for the mass market. Would the Government therefore please get a move-on and announce the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) tariff support levels?! All we know at present is that some people will get £1200 as a one-off payment to install a heat pump until March 2012. Then there is a vague statement that the RHI tariffs will start in 'late 2012'. There is plenty of interest 'out there' in heat pumps, but the good old British public is losing confidence in the RHI ever appearing in reality.
Page 1 of 1 pages