AQW 8647/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 13/10/2020
Answered On Date: 13/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of the robustness of the information upon which the level of support was determined for anaerobic digesters under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation scheme.

Answer:

Neither anaerobic digestion plants nor the biogas they produce are eligible for support under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO). The NIRO supports the generation of renewable electricity, including electricity generated by stations fuelled by biogas produced through the anaerobic digestion process.

This is an important distinction as any revenue streams for anaerobic digestion plants that do not relate to electricity production by a generating station are not within the scope of the NIRO.

The banding levels set for such stations were informed by information gathered through a public call for evidence in 2010 and subsequent consultation. Information was provided from a range of sources with knowledge and experience in anaerobic digestion, and provided examples from international best practice. Further information was gathered in 2014, upon which banding levels were maintained.

The decision on banding levels was scrutinised by the Enterprise, Trade & Investment Committee, and debated in the Assembly where the associated legislation was subsequently passed.