AQW 8656/17-22 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) whether the Barnett consequentials of circa £30 million per year until 2040 for renewable heat, as outlined by the Chancellor, will be available to new projects from 1 April 2020; or (ii) whether the money will be returned to Treasury if it is not committed to projects, or to schemes that it was allocated to under the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Initiative, are subsequently closed.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 13 October 2020
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 13 October 2020
- Answer due by
- 28 October 2020
- Answered
- 12 November 202030 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The NDNA includes a commitment that, “RHI will be closed down and replaced by a scheme that effectively cuts carbon emissions”. I will bring forward a new scheme in due course. Any new scheme will be introduced in line with the new Northern Ireland Energy strategy, as part of an overall framework to support the pathway to net zero carbon.
Funds for the RHI scheme are drawn down from the AME budget as required. Where funds are not drawn down, they will be retained by HM Treasury.