Following the failure to get decision documents out before Christmas, we now have the latest information on RHI timings.
DECC has taken all the decisions that are within its power, but the documents are delayed for approval from other departments. The main sticking point is air quality, where DECC and Defra have been unable to reach agreement. There are also still discussions with Treasury, although these are on relatively minor ?in-year? accounting details. This is a significant step forward, as the threat of tariff reductions before the first planned review (a very real threat for the Feed-in Tariffs) now seems to be off the table.
The current situation is that the documents will not be published in January, with early/mid February more likely. The timetable is then very tight. There will be a fresh consultation, before the regulations are approved by Parliament. The European Commission also needs to give State Aids approval.
If the documents are published by mid-February, the June/July start date is still reasonable (although July is more likely). If this deadline is missed, however, then the start date will slip further ? to the Autumn, or possibly even later. We therefore need to apply maximum pressure to get these issues resolved urgently
