The UK government has staved off attempts by opposition MPs to postpone the early closure of the Renewables Obligation to onshore wind.
The House of Commons voted 270-183 against Shadow Energy Secretary Lisa Nandy’s Energy Bill amendment to change the closure date from DECC’s proposed 31 March to 1 March 2017. As the law currently stands, the RO — including the grace period — will close on 31 March next year.
The Labour amendment was followed by a move by the SNP’s Philip Boswell to amend the wording of the bill’s grace period criteria to permit projects where the relevant planning authority resolved to grant planning permission before 18 June last year. The amendment was defeated by 271 votes to 229.
The Energy Bill now returns to the Lords to allow peers to table further amendments ahead of Royal Assent, which is expected before 31 March.
Image: UK Parliament (FreeImages)
