United Kingdom

In the UK there are four instruments supporting the RES technology: feed-in tariff, quota obligation, subsidies and fiscal regulation mechanisms. [54]

In general only small wind, hydro, solar and biogas systems witch capacity from 50 to 5000 kW are eligible for the feed-in or as alternative for quota system. Moreover there are additional requirements to met, related with accreditation based on the existing ROO process. The amount depends from the plant size and the year. In 2011 the prices are from 0,045 to 0,345 GBP/kWh for wind technologies, from 0,293 to 0,361 GBP/kWh for solar systems (in that case the price related also from technical solutions), from 0,045 to 0,199 GBP/kWh for hydro power plants and from 0,09 to 0,115 GBP/kWh in case of biogas systems. The support is eligible for 20 years (25 years in case of solar technologies). [54]

The quota obligation system in general is eligible for all of the RES technologies if capacity is from 50 to 5000 kW however there are additional requirements to met. Systems which was commissioned before 1st January 1990 and have not been renewed since 31st December 1989. Large hydro power plants which capacity exceeds 20 MW and which was commissioned before 1st April 2002 are also eligible. Biomass systems are supporting under following restrictions (Fig. 58): [54]

Fig.57 The quota in Flanders (Belgium). Own study based on [55]

The amount depends from the year and is from 0,097 to 0,154 Renewable Obligation Certificates per MWh in Great Britain and from 0,035 to 0,063 Renewable Obligation Certificates per MWh in Northern Ireland (ROC - Renewable. Moreover each technology obtains different number of certificates. [54]

Tax regulation mechanisms (Climate Change Levy) are eligible for wind, solar and bio technologies without additional requirements. Hydro power plants are supported only if capacity does not exceed 10 MW. [54]

Subsidies (Environmental Transformation Fund) are eligible for all of the RES technologies and covers from 25 to 50 % of total project costs. [54]

In the UK the RES systems does not have priority however the grid operator is obligated to conclude contract about grid connection without discrimination and to upgrade and expanse electrical network if it is necessary. [54]

Regulation requirements in the UK are The Electricity Act 1989, c.29 (EA 1989), The Renewable Obligation Order 2009, No. 785, The Renewable Obligation (Scotland) Order 2009, No. 140, The Renewable Obligation (Northern Ireland) Order 2009, No. 154, The Finance Act 2000, c.17, Climate Change Levy (General) Regulations 2001, No 838, The Utilities Act, c.27, The Energy Act 2008, c. 32 and The UK Environmental Transformations Fund (ETF) Strategy 2008. [54]

  • Copyrights 2011 © Blazej Olek