Northern Ireland

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) claimants' details released by Department for the Economy

A judge has ruled that companies receiving Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) subsidies could be named
A judge has ruled that companies receiving Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) subsidies could be named A judge has ruled that companies receiving Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) subsidies could be named

THE Department for the Economy (DfE) has published the names of companies which received Renewable Heat Incentive subsidies.

The list includes the name of all limited companies and limited liability partnerships that received support payments under the non-domestic scheme above a threshold of £5,000 for the period from the opening of the scheme in 2012 to February 28 this year.

A separate list with the names of the individuals who are in receipt of payments of £5,000 or more under the non-domestic scheme is due to be released in coming weeks, the department said.

Read the list here

Find out if your local church, golf club, hotel or poultry farm is on the RHI claimant list

The Renewable Heat Association of Northern Ireland (RHANI) said claimants had "entered a scheme legitimately which was designed and promoted by the government in Northern Ireland".

"The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme was launched in Northern Ireland following the success of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme in Great Britain, which is still in operation and open to entrants," the association added. 

Earlier this month a judge ruled that the identities of companies benefiting from the lucrative green energy scheme could be published by outgoing economy minister Simon Hamilton.

However, Mr Justice Deeny prohibited the minister from disclosing the names of individuals receiving RHI payments until any objections they have to being identified are properly considered.

Following the ruling, the Department for the Economy said it would "publish information as soon as is practical and all details are checked and released in line with the court decision".

The High Court ruling came after more than 500 members of the Renewable Heat Association of Northern Ireland (RHANI) took legal action in a bid to stop the economy minister disclosing their details.

There have been widespread calls since before Christmas for the full list of RHI recipients to made public.

The botched scheme, which was introduced in 2012, is forecast to cost the Stormont executive up to £490m over the next 20 years.

The assembly introduced cost controls in January but they will be in place only for one year and are also facing legal challenge.

The economy minister had already been able to publish the names of RHI claimants who are not members of RHANI – including some who have given their permission to do so – but had chosen not to.

Read the full list here