The UK closes Renewables Obligation scheme to new applications after 15 years

Renewable Obligations (RO), UK government’s main support mechanisms for large-scale renewable electricity projects, has now closed to new generating capacity.

First established in 2002, the RO placed an obligation on licensed suppliers to increase their proportion of electricity from renewable sources. According to figures from OFGEM, the RO has played a key role in contributing to the growth in the UK’s low carbon energy generation from 1.3% to 23.5% over the last 15 years.

The scheme, currently supporting more than 23,500 generating stations comprising 25GW of installed capacity have been accredited, which includes 9.3GW onshore wind, 5GW offshore win...