Northern Ireland Economy Minister Simon Hamilton has confirmed that the Renewables Obligation for small-scale onshore wind will close in June.
Hamilton said 93% of respondents in a public consultation backed the move to shut the scheme for sub 5MW projects which follows on from the close of the NIRO for large-scale wind on 31 March.
“This consultation was set in the context of DECC’s intention to take a ‘backstop power’ to protect GB consumers if Northern Ireland did not close the NIRO on equivalent terms to GB.”
“Taking account of the likely impact of DECC’s ‘backstop’ power and the tenor of the majority of consultation responses, I intend to bring legislation to the Assembly to close the NIRO to new small scale onshore wind and existing small scale generating stations adding additional capacity before the end of June if Assembly timelines permit.”
He added: “I believe this decision will bring closure to the NIRO in a manner that delivers the maximum amount of megawatts at the least cost to consumers.”
Image: Robert Paul Young and Wikimedia Commons
