Delays on Northern Ireland RHI

Companies which install renewable energy technologies, like solar panels, say delays at Stormont have stifled their industry for the last two years.

In England and Wales homeowners and businesses are subsidised for installing certain kinds of renewable energy sources.

Either they get a grant to help with the cost of installation, or they have any excess energy they produce bought back off them - ie. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The picture in Northern Ireland is different though. Plans for a Renewable Heat Incentive have been on pause for the last few years.

There was an economic appraisal last year and then a public consultation. Now the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) are considering all of that and hoping to have a scheme in place by April this year.

DETI said: "The implementation of the RHI is also dependant on getting EU State Aid approval, making the necessary legislative changes and having an administrative system in place to manage the scheme.

"The timetable for completion of this work is challenging but at this stage the 1 April 2012 date has not been revised."