In the 2003 Energy White Paper ‘Our energy future – creating a low carbon economy’, the Government committed to a review of the Renewables Obligation in 2005/06.

The Review is not a fundamental rethink of renewables policy, but an opportunity to consider amendments to improve the effectiveness of the Obligation in certain areas. The Terms of Reference for this review were published in November 2004. 

The preliminary consultation document was published in March 2005. This set out what we consider to be the key issues in each of the areas covered by the Terms of Reference and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to express their views. Views were invited on the profile of the Obligation beyond 2015/16, modifying the rules for low cost technologies, combined heat and power and energy from mixed wastes and various administrative and other detailed technical issues. Certain parts of this consultation document were supported by external economic and financial analysis. This consultation closed on 13 June 2005.

This statutory consultation document sets out the Government's proposed position and seeks views on specific changes to the Renewables Obligation Order 2005, on the Regulatory Impact Assessment and on the draft Order. The changes discussed are to make some limited changes the eligibility of electricity generated from mixed wastes; modify future rules for low cost technologies and simplify the administrative arrangements for the Obligation.

The consultation closed on 9 December 2005. The final decisions on the options presented have now been published.