'Profound disappointment' is how the Heat Pump Association sums up its response to the DECC's recently announced delay on the amendments to the commercial RHI and the launch of the domestic RHI.
The association says that such a delay risks damaging more than just the credibility of the policy in the Commercial RHI sector. It also risks damaging specific industries and businesses, since there are current policy distortions which need to be rapidly resolved, HPA adds. Industry has invested millions in preparing for the launch of this policy, and now those still able will be forced to fund a further period, it points out.

In a statement, the association says that DECC is clear that it remains fully committed to the RHI policy, a point re-iterated by Greg Barker at subsequent meetings. But industry will have to work hard to convince sceptical end users and installers that they should buy in to the project.

HPA continued: 'There are positives in the announcement, these including increased funding for training and apprenticeships, and the extension of the RHPP scheme for home owners to March 2014, which was an essential yet minimum substitute, although the benefit will be far less than if RHI had itself been implemented and RHPP monies will have to be repaid from eventual RHI income.'

HPA President Tony Bowen said: 'DECC state their strong and continuing commitment to the RHI scheme, but we need a rapid decisions so that current market distortions can be corrected and that the market can be given enough detail to provide future certainty.'