NIROCs
Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation Certificates (NIROCs) are available for every MWh (1000kWh) of accredited renewable generation.
Ofgem are responsible for the process of accrediting and issuing NIROCs to generators throughout the UK.
You can either opt to appoint NIE Energy to act as your Agent (for generators up to 50kW) and receive payment based on each kWh of generation or carry out the administration yourself.
From 1 April 2010 the Government introduced an increase in NIROC bandings for some technologies. Existing generating stations will remain on double ROCs, while stations accredited on or after 1 April 2010 may be able to avail of the higher ROC bandings and relevant payments as shown in the table below.
|
NIRO 2010 |
Agent customers |
Non-agent customers |
Existing Microgeneration |
2 ROCs |
8.32p/kWh |
£83.20/MWh |
Wind |
Up to 250kW |
4 ROCs |
16.64p/kWh (up to 50kW) |
£166.40/MWh |
250kW – 5 MW |
1 ROC |
n/a |
£41.60/MWh |
PV |
Up to 50kW |
4 ROCs |
16.64p/kWh |
£166.40/MWh |
50kW – 5MW |
2 ROCs |
n/a |
£83.20/MWh |
Hydro |
Up to 20kW |
4 ROCs |
16.64p/kWh |
£166.40/MWh |
20kW – 250kW |
3 ROCs |
12.48p/kWh (up to 50kW) |
£124.80/MWh |
250kW – 1MW |
2 ROCs |
n/a |
£83.20/MWh |
1MW – 5MW |
1 ROC |
n/a |
£41.60/MWh |
AD |
Up to 50kW |
2 ROCs |
8.32p/kWh |
£83.20/MWh |
50kW – 5MW |
2 ROCs |
n/a |
£83.20/MWh |
Biomass |
Up to 50kW |
2 ROCs |
8.32p/kWh |
£83.20/MWh |
50kW – 5MW |
1.5 ROCs |
n/a |
£62.40/MWh |
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If you are 50kW or less - appointing NIE Energy to act as your Agent (recommended)
NIE Energy can help smaller renewable generation customers with the Ofgem process and act as an agent on your behalf in relation to dealings with Ofgem*. Appointing NIE Energy as an Agent on your behalf will allow us to:
- Assist with your Ofgem application
- Deal with any queries from Ofgem relating to your application
- Act in an administrative capacity
- Pay you based on each kWh of generation
This should make the process more straightforward for you.
*Please note that NIE Energy is unable to act as your Agent if your generating station is over 50kW
If you wish to appoint NIE Energy to act on your behalf as an Agent you will need to complete the agent appointment form and covering letter which can be requested by following the procedure in Section 9.
Application Process:
Along with the agent appointment form and covering letter please provide a schematic diagram of your generation station (your installer will provide you with this) and we will then submit all your documentation to Ofgem.
You must have an Ofgem approved generation meter installed to measure the total generation from your installation. If you do not have a suitable meter installed you should contact your installer who can arrange this for you. If you already have a generation meter installed please click here to ensure it is Ofgem approved (
PDF document).
Receiving payment for ROCs
Ofgem insist that generation meter readings are taken on the 31st March each year so NIE Energy will contact you in advance asking you to take your generation meter reading around the end of March. NIE Energy will then send all aggregated Agent meter readings to Ofgem at the end of May. ROCs are usually issued by Ofgem towards the end of June and the NIROCs will be placed directly into an NIE Energy NIROC account.
NIE Energy will then arrange a bank transfer for the appropriate amount to all Agent customers (usually mid-end July each year).
Click here if you opt to carry out your own Ofgem / ROC administration.
