POWER OUTPUT

1.        How much power will be created?

The plant will produce 50 MW gross of renewable electricity. Some of this will be used within the plant and approximately 45MW will be provided to the electricity system – enough to supply over 80,000 homes.

2.        Where will it go/who will it be sold to?

The plant will be linked to the local grid connection adjacent to the site. 

3.        Will this mean giant pylons being erected too and if so, how many and what route will they take?

Definitely not! The plant will connect to the existing local network and will use existing infrastructure, which is currently underutilised.  Not only will we not need new pylons, we will reduce the losses in the existing system by connecting at a local level.

3.        Will the power qualify for Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) or Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs)?

The power will qualify for both of these benefits, because the fuel is a renewable resource.

Source: BERR, Reform of the Renewables Obligation

The Renewables Obligation (RO) is the Government’s main mechanism for supporting renewable electricity generation. Introduced in April 2002, it provides a substantial market incentive for the deployment of eligible forms of renewable electricity by placing a requirement on all licensed electricity suppliers to source a specific and annually increasing percentage of their sales from eligible sources of renewable electricity.

The RO is administered by OFGEM who issue renewable electricity generators with ROCs for each megawatt hour of eligible renewable electricity generated. The generator can sell their ROCs to suppliers in order that they can meet their obligation. This enables renewable generators to receive a premium price for their electricity.  

Source: The Carbon Trust

Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs) are evidence of Carbon Change Levy exempt electricity supply generated from qualifying renewable sources. LECs will be redeemed by suppliers to HM Customs and Excise to demonstrate the amount of non-climate change electricity able to be levied that had been supplied to non-domestic customers in the given period.