“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç

Renewable Energy Bulletin No 6 has at last been published by the Department of Trade and Industry -- two months later than expected. The document gives information about the next round of bidding under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation -- the UK's system of support for renewable energy. Most of the information in REB-6 was announced in November by junior energy minister Richard Page (“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç, December 1995). It does, however, give the government's response to comments from the renewable industry during consultations on the future of NFFO. REB-6 claims that some comments have been taken on board by the minister. In particular in providing more specific guidance on the size of the order, its technology bands and whether size caps would be applied. It also claims to have given strong price signals, and revised resource estimation requirements. REB-6 adds that Page considered suggested alternative arrangements to NFFO, but concluded that in view of the limited number of NFFO rounds remaining and that since substantial changes would need new legislation -- further delaying the next round -- it would not be sensible to introduce an alternative method of renewables support.