How it works

Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROCs)

The Renewables Obligation is the main support scheme for renewable electricity projects in the UK. It places an obligation on UK suppliers of electricity to source an increasing proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. A Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) is a green certificate issued to an accredited generator for eligible renewable electricity generated within the United Kingdom and supplied to customers within the United Kingdom by a licensed electricity supplier. One ROC is issued for each megawatt hour (MWh) of eligible renewable output generated. The Renewables Obligation (Northern Ireland) Order came into effect in April 2005 and the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) was introduced by the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI).

The NIRO has been subject to regular reviews and the day to day functions of administering the NIRO are performed by Ofgem. Ofgem, based in London, is responsible for the process of accrediting renewable energy installations and issuing Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROCs) to generators in Northern Ireland. It is the owner of the generating stations responsibility to apply for and manage their own Ofgem accreditation.

From 1 May 2015 Power NI will no longer offer this service for new generation stations.

For more information about Ofgem’s requirements then please refer to the Ofgem website. If you wish to contract with Power NI, you must agree to sell your export and NIROCs (and  other green benefits such as LECs and REGOs) associated with your installation.

Export

Because any electricity that is generated but not used can’t be stored, it is exported back to the grid. We will pay you for the amount you export.

For renewable energy generators up to 50kW, we will publish our prices for export in October each year, helping you to work out the expected income you can earn for the year ahead.  We take the risk out of fluctuating energy prices for smaller generators and can give certainty when calculating your payback periods.

Current prices

Power NI Generation tariff rates 2014/2015

Power NI’s Generation Tariff currently offers an annual fixed price for ROCs and export for generators up to 50kW. Both prices are considered and approved by the Utility Regulator each year.

Annual ROC and Export prices are approved by the Utility Regulator each year. The ROC price is subject to fluctuation each year due to market factors. The ROC price for 2014-2015 is lower than last year mainly as a result of lower ROC prices in the UK ROC market during the last 12 months as well as a lower ROC price forecast. The export price for 2014-2015 has reduced slightly because of a reduction in wholesale fuel costs.

The current export price for generators up to 50kWh is:

From 1 October 2014- 30^th September 2015 5.10p/kWh

 The export price for 2014-2015 has reduced slightly because of a reduction in wholesale fuel costs.

 If your system is over 50kWh click here.

Grid connection

You must have a Grid Connection Agreement in place with Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) in order to export to the electricity network. You can request an NIE Generator application pack (G83/G59) via the NIE website

An import/export meter must be fitted by NIE, not Power NI. If you need this meter this will be triggered by your installer completing and submitting the NIE Grid Connection Agreement. NIE will then contact you directly to arrange an appointment to change your electricity meter.

Export

If your generator is up to 50kW (single rate)

For renewable energy generators up to 50kW, Power NI publishes its prices for export in October each year and this helps you to work out the expected income you can earn for the year ahead.

The current single rate export tariff is:

Payment

Export payments will be paid annually. Payment for export will be made by Power NI directly into your bank account; it will not appear on your electricity bill. A meter reader will continue to read your electricity meter so that a bill can be issued for the amount of electricity you have bought from Power NI. We will contact you to request the export meter reading at the end of each September. When we receive a valid export meter reading, we will arrange payment for you.

Current customers can click here for how to read your import/export meter.

Renewable Obligation Certficates (ROCs)

If Power NI is acting as your Agent:

Ofgem insist that generation meter readings are taken on the 31st March each year so we will send you a reminder to ask you to take your generation meter reading at the end of March. Power NI will then send all the generation meter readings together to Ofgem at the end of May. ROCs are usually issued by Ofgem from July and Power NI will then arrange a bank transfer for the appropriate amount to all Agent customers Payment cannot be arranged until the ROCs have been issued.

From 1 May 2015 Power NI will not be offering a service to act as Ofgem Agent on behalf of new small renewable generators.

For new customers (From 1^st May 2015) carrying out your own Ofgem / ROC administration

You are responsible for accrediting and managing your generator with Ofgem. Click here for more information.