What is the Renewable Heat Incentive?
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a UK government scheme that encourages the installation of renewable heat technologies in homes, businesses and public sector buildings. Participants receive quarterly payments for the heat they generate, measured against a baseline of emissions that would have been produced using conventional fossilfuel heating.
Eligibility for Emissions Certificates
To qualify for RHI payments, applicants must:
- Install an eligible technology (e.g., heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar thermal, biogas).
- Register the installation with the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) before it begins operating.
- Provide evidence that the system meets the minimum efficiency and performance standards set out in the RHI guidelines.
- Maintain accurate metering and datarecording systems capable of generating the required emissions data.
Emissions Certificate Requirements
Each RHI participant must produce an Emissions Certificate for every reporting period (usually quarterly). The certificate confirms the amount of renewable heat generated and the corresponding emissions avoided.
Key data fields
| Field | Description | Units / Format |
|---|---|---|
| Installation ID | Unique identifier assigned by Ofgem at registration | Alphanumeric (e.g., RHI12345AB) |
| Reporting Period | Quarter for which the data is submitted | YYYYQ1, YYYYQ2 |
| Heat Generated | Total renewable heat output recorded by approved meters | kWh |
| Baseline Emissions | Estimated CO that would have been emitted by a fossilfuel system delivering the same heat | kg COe |
| Emissions Avoided | Baseline emissions minus any emissions associated with the renewable system (e.g., biomass fuel) | kg COe |
| Verification Signature | Digital signature of the accredited installer or thirdparty verifier | PKI certificate |
Supporting documentation
The certificate must be accompanied by:
- Metering data export (CSV or XML) covering the full reporting period.
- Installation commissioning report confirming the system is operating as designed.
- Fuel consumption records for biomass or biogas installations.
- Any corrective actions taken if performance fell below the guaranteed output.
How to Submit the Certificate
The submission process is fully digital via the Ofgem RHI Online Portal.
Stepbystep guide
- Log in to the portal using your registered email and twofactor authentication.
- Select Create New Emissions Certificate.
- Enter the required data fields (see table above). The system validates each entry against predefined limits.
- Upload the supporting documentation. The portal checks file formats and size limits (max 10MB per file).
- Apply your digital signature. If you use a thirdparty verifier, upload their signed attestation.
- Review the summary and click Submit. You will receive an automatic acknowledgement with a reference number.
Once submitted, the certificate enters the verification queue. Most submissions are approved within 10working days. If issues are identified, Ofgem will contact you with a request for clarification.
Compliance, Monitoring and Penalties
Continuous compliance is essential to retain eligibility for RHI payments.
- Performance thresholds: Each technology has a minimum annual heat output (e.g., 12MWh for a 12kW heat pump). Falling below this triggers a payment reduction.
- Audit rights: Ofgem may conduct random audits. Failure to provide requested data can result in a suspension of payments.
- Overclaiming: Submitting inflated heat generation figures is a criminal offence and can lead to repayment demands, fines up to 50,000, or imprisonment.
- Deregistration: Persistent noncompliance leads to removal from the scheme and loss of any accrued certificates.
Further Resources
For detailed guidance, consult the following documents:
