DECC confirms there will be no ROC announcement today

The announcement had been widely expected to be made before the start of Parliament’s summer recess, which begins at the close of business today. That will now not happen, although a DECC spokesman told edie it would be wrong to conclude that meant waiting until MPs return in the autumn.

“The intention is that we will do it as soon as we can but we haven’t got a date for that yet,” said the spokesman. “It could happen during recess, however, as it doesn’t necessarily have to wait until the House reconvenes in the autumn.”

On the reason for the delay, which many say has already caused renewable energy investment to stall, he added merely that ‘discussions are continuing in terms of finalising the announcement, so that’s where we are’.

Renewable Energy Association chief executive Gaynor Hartnell has already hit out at the delay, saying: “Those within DECC know that this delay is immensely damaging to the industry and will be seeking to resolve things as rapidly as they can. Developers need certainty and soon.

“This delay is the most serious yet. It does not bode well for the schedule for electricity market reform, which is far more complex.”

edie staff