101 UK Brexit Notes

Connemara Programme October 16 2018 pg. 130 The powers to issue Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin are devolved to Northern Ireland. The government will continue working, in the absence of an Executive, with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to ensure the new rules for Guarantees of Origin work for the whole of the UK. After March 2019 if there’s no deal In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the government will ensure that Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin issued in EU countries will continue to be recognised. This will allow electricity suppliers to continue to use EU Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin, and will ensure that existing supply contracts are not compromised, in so far as these contracts depend upon Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin. This position will be kept under review. Implications Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin issued in the UK will no longer be recognised in the EU. This will mean that existing contracts with EU countries’ electricity suppliers or traders may be compromised if the contract terms require the transfer of a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin recognised by the EU. Actions for businesses and other stakeholders Electricity suppliers will not need to take any specific actions, as Great Britain, Northern Ireland and EU countries’ Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin will continue to be recognised in the UK. Electricity generators will not need to take any action where they are selling to suppliers in the UK, but where generators are selling to EU suppliers, they may wish to consider how they market their exports. More information The UK government will amend the relevant regulations to ensure that they remain legally operable after EU exit. Further information will be provided on th e Ofgem website an d on the relevant GOV.UK page . Certification of installers of certain microgeneration technologies Before 29 March 2019 ‘Microgeneration technologies’ are small-scale installations used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources, such as heat pumps and biomass stoves. In the UK installers of these technologies are currently required to be certified (for example, to hold certificates) under a quality assurance scheme. This certification is necessary if installers wish to apply for support under one of the low-carbon generation schemes for microgeneration technologies. Currently, the UK is required to recognise the validity of certifications of installers for certain microgeneration technologies issued by a European Economic Area state in accordance with criteria set out i n Annex 4 of the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC . This applies to installers of the following microgeneration technologies: small scale biomass boilers, biomass stoves, solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps. There is a reciprocal obligation on European Economic Area states to recognise UK installer certificates for microgeneration technologies. This is known as the mutual recognition obligation. After March 2019 if there’s no deal In a ‘no deal’ scenario the UK will continue to recognise installer certificates issued by European Economic Area states which meet the criteria in Annex 4 of the Renewable Energy Directive. This position will be kept under review. Implications Installer certification issued to installers of certain microgeneration technologies in the UK will no longer be recognised in European Economic Area states. There will be no change in the UK to the recognition of installer certificates issued by European Economic Area states to installers of certain microgeneration technologies. Actions for businesses and other stakeholders UK installers may need certification in a European Economic Area state to continue installing microgeneration technologies in the European Economic Area. Requirements are likely to differ between European Economic Area states and UK installers should seek advice on potential requirements in any European Economic Area states in which they are operating. There will be no change in the UK to the recognition of installer certification issued by European Economic Area states to installers of certain microgeneration technologies. More information Th e Microgeneration Certification Scheme c urrently operates an installer certification scheme for microgeneration technologies in the UK. Renewable Electricity Support Schemes: receiving support for generating renewable electricity if there’s no Brexit deal