HL Deb 19 November 2001 vol 628 c117WA
Lord Glentoran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the effective exclusion for the next six years of Northern Ireland from trading in renewables obligation certificates is intentional. [HL1216]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Under the Utilities Act 2000, a condition for eligibility for renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) is physical supply of electricity to customers in Great Britain. In order for generators located in Northern Ireland to receive ROCs, they would need to provide evidence of physical supply into the Great Britain distribution system. It is recognised that it would be difficult to provide such evidence under current conditions.

Discussions are continuing between my department, the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Northern Ireland) and Ofreg on the relationship between the renewables obligation and the Northern Ireland electricity market. The Government will review the situation in the light of any proposals emerging from the current consultation taking place in Northern Ireland on the development of renewable energy in the Province.

Lord Glentoran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will erase sub-clause 4(5)(d)(iv) from the draft statutory instrument that implements the renewables obligation arrangements. [HL1217]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

Under the Utilities Act 2000, a condition for eligibility for renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) is physical supply of electricity to customers in Great Britain. In order for generators located in Northern Ireland to receive ROCs, they would need to provide evidence of physical supply into the Great Britain distribution system.

The evidence required would include proof that electricity has not flowed in the opposite direction. This is the provision to which the noble Lord refers in his Question.

This evidence would be required to prevent "virtual imports", where electricity is not physically supplied, but merely notionally supplied by a transaction on paper.

The Government are continuing to consider responses to the consultation on the draft statutory instrument, but at this stage do not propose to remove the provision to which the noble Lord refers.