(1) The Electricity Act 1989 is amended as follows.

(2) Before section 32M insert—

“

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations providing that an electricity supplier may not discharge its renewables obligation (or its obligation in relation to a particular period) by the production to the Authority of a relevant Northern Ireland certificate, except in the circumstances, and to the extent, specified in the regulations.

(2) A “relevant Northern Ireland certificate” is a Northern Ireland certificate issued in respect of electricity generated—

(a) after 31 March 2016 (or any later date specified in the regulations), and

(b) by a Northern Ireland onshore wind generating station accredited after 31 March 2016 (or any later date specified in the regulations).

(3) In this section—

“NIRO Order” means any order made under Articles 52 to 55F of the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;

“Northern Ireland certificate” means a renewables obligation certificate issued by the Northern Ireland authority under the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and pursuant to a NIRO Order;

“Northern Ireland onshore wind generating station” means a generating station that—

(a) generates electricity from wind, and

(b) is situated in Northern Ireland, but not in waters in or adjacent to Northern Ireland up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea.

(4) Power to make provision in a renewables obligation order by virtue of section 32F (and any provision contained in such an order) is subject to provision contained in regulations under this section.

(5) This section is not otherwise to be taken as affecting power to make provision in a renewables obligation order.

(6) Regulations under this section may amend a renewables obligation order.

(7) Section 32K applies in relation to regulations under this section as it applies in relation to a renewables obligation order.”

(3) In section 32M (interpretation)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “32LB” substitute “32LM”;

(b) in subsection (7), for “32L” substitute “32LM”.—

This New Clause allows the Secretary of State to make regulations preventing an electricity supplier in England, Wales or Scotland from using a renewables obligation certificate issued in Northern Ireland to discharge its renewables obligation, where the certificate was issued in respect of onshore wind power generated in Northern Ireland after 31 March 2016. The regulations can specify exceptions.

Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.

New Clause 4