Getting involved in the Government’s CHPQA scheme: What are the benefits?

As well as helping each of our customers build a successful and optimised energy management service, we are committed to ensuring our clients make the most out of government schemes and initiatives. One of these initiatives is the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance programme (CHPQA).

Playing a crucial role in the UK Climate Change programme, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous generation of heat and power in a single process. It provides one of the most cost-effective methods for reducing carbon emissions, a priority bigger than ever before with the government’s recent pledge to the 2050 net-zero target.

The CHPQA sets out to monitor, assess and improve the quality of UK Combined Heat and Power through several practical approaches. The programme is managed on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in consultation with the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly of Wales, and the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

To get a clear picture of the scheme, we’ve broken it down into seven helpful facts:

1. The CHPQA scheme is voluntary, but participation in CHP is a great way for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability.
2. Through successful CHPQA certification, organisations can access a range of other benefits, including Renewable Heat Incentive, Carbon Price Floor (heat) relief, Climate Change Levy exemption (in respect of fuel input and electricity directly supplied), Enhanced Capital Allowances, Heat Networks Investment Project and preferential business rates.
3. If you are part of an Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme, allowances (such as tax relief) on qualifying technologies, can by claimed by a CHPQA certificate in conjunction with a Secretary of State Certificate of Energy Efficiency before April 2020.
4. The Heat Networks Investment project (HNIP), is a scheme that runs from 2018 to 2021 and funding projects through grants and loans. If your CHP operates as ‘good quality’ thorough the CHPQA accreditation, you may be able to access this fund.
5. By assessing CHP schemes based on their energy efficiency and environmental performance, CHPQA provides organisations with associated fiscal benefits. It also helps reduce running costs, carbon emissions and energy consumption.
6. You can gain CHPQA certification by registering online and completing the submissions procedure.
7. CHPQA is an annual certification process. At the end of each calendar year you’ll be required to compile the CHP scheme energy data monitored throughout the previous year, assess the scheme’s performance and submit your resultant figures for validation to CHPQA.

For an in-depth understanding of the benefits of acquiring a CHPQA certificate and the processes involved, get in touch or call us on 01908 690018.

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