← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Renewables Obligation Certificate Scheme
05 March 2025
Lead MP
Terry Jermy
South West Norfolk
Lab
Responding Minister
Kerry McCarthy
Tags
ClimateNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 9787
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Terry Jermy raised concerns about renewables obligation certificate scheme in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Minister to confirm whether the Government are committed to the renewables obligation certificate scheme, and therefore the future of not just Thetford power station, but other similar biomass facilities across the UK.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Thetford power station is Europe’s largest poultry litter-fuelled power station and has successfully generated green energy for over 20 years. It produces home-grown electricity, contributing to our energy security, and it is crucial to the farming community across East Anglia. The closure of such sites would increase environmental pollution, particularly phosphate and nitrate run-off from poultry farms.
Suffolk Coastal
Emphasized the valuable role biomass energy production plays in supporting farms and food security, particularly in her constituency of Suffolk Coastal. She highlighted how it helps manage farm waste and prevent toxic pollution from entering rivers. Discussed water pollution, agricultural run-off, and protection of chalk streams related to energy projects. Asked if a potential bridging loan is being considered by the Department for the replacement of the ROC.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Praised Terry Jermy for focusing on an important issue that matters to his constituents and highlighted the practical significance of such debates. Emphasized the importance of Northern Ireland's voice being heard in discussions about energy policies.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
West Suffolk
Responded that while issues are discussed, they are not part of today’s debate and the focus is on making sure energy is affordable and there are community benefits. Emphasised the importance of certainty for businesses. Responded that she was not aware of details regarding bridging loans but stressed the importance of considering consumer impact and value for money.
Clarified that the Opposition believes the Government is moving too quickly with their energy transition and security policies and asked for suggested approaches by the Conservatives.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Asked Nick Timothy if his argument against renewable subsidies was a shift in Conservative policy or an attack on Labour’s plans, questioning the clarity of his position. Commented that despite the new ideological position, it sets the Opposition against industry in coastal and remote communities which generate jobs and investment.
Angus MacDonald
SNP
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Rural Britain pays about four times more per kilowatt for heating compared to those using mains gas in cities. He agrees that the renewables obligation certificate scheme is important and supports efforts to help those in rural areas with energy costs. Emphasised the issue of environmental tariffs affecting renewable energy providers and suggested that incentives should not disadvantage renewable energy sources. Asked the Minister to consider the perspective of someone living on Skye who pays four times as much for energy from wind turbines with negligible community benefits.
Nick Timothy
Con
South Dorset
Discussed the high costs of renewable energy subsidies, highlighting that the scheme cost £7.6 billion in 2023-24 and will remain at £6.9 billion by 2028-29. Argued businesses are concerned about high energy costs due to carbon prices and questioned if a lower carbon price can be guaranteed compared to Europe by the end of this Parliament.
Terry Jermy
Con
South West Norfolk
Secured the debate and highlighted the need for clarity in energy policies.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Praised the hon. Member for South West Norfolk for securing the debate and expressed concern about letting ROCs disappear without a replacement, particularly for biomass plants like the one in Thetford. Supported the idea of incentivising farmers to use land for solar panels and hydro schemes, highlighting the potential benefits for both the environment and the local economy. Discussed grid capacity issues and the role of farmers in diversifying to renewable energy sources.
Government Response
Kerry McCarthy
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Government Response
Responded to concerns raised by MPs, assured ongoing dialogue with Northern Ireland, discussed grid capacity issues, and emphasized the need for clean power generation to achieve net zero by 2030. Discussed the importance of certainty for businesses in making long-term decisions, talked about the role of the Renewables Obligation scheme and its value to clean energy generation. Mentioned that Thetford power station has been a valuable contributor but its time under the RO will end by March 2027. Acknowledged concerns about generators coming to the end of support under the RO and stated that further analysis is being conducted. Emphasized the importance of renewable energy in making the UK a clean energy superpower while considering consumer bills.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.