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An exciting opportunity: RHPP Communities Scheme
This summer has been a busy time so far for DECC’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) Team. On 24 July Greg Barker announced the launch of the new and exciting RHPP Phase 2 Communities Scheme. I recently joined the RHPP team as the policy advisor for the Communities Scheme.
I’m really enthusiastic about the RHPP Communities Scheme. It’s well known that local people know what is best for their own communities and we’re hoping with support, they can help us deliver renewable heat at a local level in a way that is right for them and spread the word on the benefits of clean, green heating.
The key purpose of the scheme is to support the installation of renewable heating systems in homes by providing vouchers to householders. A total of up to £8 Million of capital funding will be made available through this scheme. This isn’t the first voucher scheme we’ve run, and some may remember the Household Voucher Scheme, but where RHPP differs is that communities will now have the opportunity to organise local buying groups for renewable heating systems, potentially accessing bulk discounts and facilitating easier deployment for installers.
The scheme is also primarily targeted at making renewable heating affordable for middle to low income households and aims to reach homes with high carbon heating systems that are expensive to run.
We also understand and have seen examples where community groups have really fantastic ideas and enthusiasm but sometimes don’t have the expertise to take these ideas and make them a reality. That is where we can help. From the initial bids, those projects that are selected will move into the development phase where money and expertise will be available to help community groups develop their project further before submitting their final bids.
There is so much that can be gained from taking part in this scheme, so I would encourage you to take a look at the Energy Saving Trust website which has more details (including eligibility criteria and FAQs) and explains how you can apply. The closing date for the initial application is 7 September. Best of luck!
9 Responses to “An exciting opportunity: RHPP Communities Scheme”
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Hi All, thank you very much for commenting on my blog, I hope you don’t mind but I have addressed the comments altogether rather than replying to you individually.
James thank you for your comment, as you mention RHPP 2 will only install renewable heating in properties that have already undertaken basic energy efficiency measures where it is practicable. Replacement of coal and electric heating with renewable heating can result in a reduction in fuel bills, but also deliver very significant reductions in carbon emissions over coal and grid electricity (which are two of the highest carbon heating fuels).
Peter thank you for your encouraging remarks on the Communities Scheme. In response to your comments on the RHI – the non-domestic RHI Scheme is the first of its kind in the world and as such is new to suppliers installers and participants. Ofgem is responsible for distributing public money and must ensure that it is going to genuinely eligible installations. We have sought to strike the best balance possible between the information required and the administrative burden involved. Ofgem completed a series of presentations around the UK in early 2012, and has this month published some new detailed guidance notes on the application process to support potential applicants in ensuring that they provide the right information as part of their applications.
Furthermore DECC has recently launched a consultation, Improving Performance and Providing Certainty, which includes proposals for simplifying the metering arrangements required for eligibility for the RHI. Should you wish to contribute your views, please see the following link: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/rhi_cert_perf/rhi_cert_perf.aspx
Peter and Neil – in September government plan to consult on how we can support renewable heating systems for households in the longer term. We will set out a firmer timetable for delivering this support with the consultation and anticipate that this will be from Summer 2013.
Nigel as you are aware EST are administering the RHPP Scheme for DECC and have been working with an independent Communities Board to encourage take up and ensure that the Scheme works effectively. I understand that you have spoken with EST regarding your concerns and have discussed ways forward.
Now turning to Pete’s comments on improving energy efficiencies and district energy. The RHPP 2 Communities scheme targets renewable heating but sits alongside a suite of much larger initiatives on energy efficiency in homes, such as the Green Deal which is due to be launched in the Autumn. The RHPP programme was developed to provide support to domestic renewable heating ahead of the launch of the domestic RHI, but also to capture some “real world” experience (including monitoring of the systems installed) to feed into the development of the domestic RHI.
The RHI through its non-domestic element is already incentivising the deployment of renewable heat. The Government has set out its vision for heating our homes, businesses and industry in the decades ahead in a document called The Future of Heating: A strategic framework for low carbon heat in the UK. It sets out how we can reduce the demand for heat and how the supply of heat can be decarbonised to meet our renewables and emissions reduction targets.. Please see the following link for further information: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/heat_strategy/heat_strategy.aspx
Thank you Matthew for your comments on the Scheme, we recognise that many community organisations would benefit from additional help and expertise to enable them to develop bids to their full potential. That is why we are running the Communities Scheme in stages, those groups that submit successful bids will move into the development phase. The development phase will be a series of workshops which will facilitate knowledge sharing between different community groups and provide specialist support.
As I mentioned in my earlier post the Scheme closes to applications on Friday (7 September), so if you are in process of completing an application please don’t forget to submit before the deadline. For those that have just become aware of the Scheme please check out the EST website where you can Q&A, guidance and the application form as there is still time to apply. Thanks
Hi Claire, Im afraid rhetoric like ‘consult’ and ‘anticipate’ give me no confidence at all.
It is no wonder that uptake of renewable technologies for domestic use is miniscule as householders dont have confidence in the RHI.
I need a new boiler before this winter sets in, what should I do, take a risk with an expensive MCS accredited appliance or stay with Oil ?
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Whilst I welcome this initiative I’m not keen on the method (i.e. a competition with a deadline). Community energy groups are getting really tired of this type of delivery and I think we need a fresh approach that involves local experts in the regions who can earn a fee to help find and develop the sort of community projects that DECC is looking for.
Whilst this is to be welcomed I agree that it is another smokescreen to mask the ongoing delay in rolling out the full domestic scheme.
I’m currently researching a replacement boiler for an off grid property. Without the full RHI scheme being rolled out to households renewable heating systems are simply unaffordable.
The “greenest government ever” are failing us.
Is this another timewasting scheme which throws good money after bad ?
Suerly wes hsould be doing the obvious things first – fabric improvements, system efficiencies and district energy. We currently throw away more heat from UK power stations than we actually need. RHHP seems to say ‘carry on wasting ,but lets produce more electricity for heat pumps and the ike, waste more heat and use up our fossil fuels even faster.
I have proposed to EST an innovative way to encourage communities to take up the scheme but their bureaucrats just don’t get it. We need innovators not bureaucrats in charge and I hope DECC is listening!
I applaude any scheme that enourages individuals and communities to start looking at and installing renewable and sustainable energy and or heating measures. The expansion of the scheme is great news but why not sort out RHI? The non domestic scheme is still too cumbersome and where is the domestic scheme. I should add that I don’t really expect an answer.
My issue with this scheme is that it seems to ignore the energy hierarchy. By all means install low carbon renewable heating measures, but only after insulation measures. The RHPP Communities Scheme is aimed at off-gas properties many of which will be solid walled – when replacing coal or electric heating, renewable heating will rarely save the householder on their bills.