There are signs that the widely anticipated Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) may be delayed, and Mark Krull, marketing director for Logic4training has warned that the consequences could be serious.
He said: 'The renewable heat industry has been waiting with bated breath for the launch of the RHI, set to create greener homes and more jobs for the whole of the UK. It seems however, that despite the Government's promises, the final documentation will be held back until at least February; primarily due to disagreements regarding air quality, between the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Defra.'
Logic4training, along with the Solar Trade Association (STA) and Renewable Energy Association (REA), is urging Government to ensure that the start date of the RHI does not get pushed too far behind. If decisions are made by early February, then things may still be on track for launch in June - any later and the scheme could be delayed until the autumn.
Mr Krull added: 'Potentially, this is an extremely damaging situation for the many businesses that have invested in taking advantage of this new scheme - hardly ideal at a time when the UK economy needs all the help it can get.'
The REA is applying pressure to get all issues resolved as soon as possible. It wrote to Ministers before Christmas, specifically on the issue of air quality, and has followed up this month.
Logic4training, the STA and REA are urging members (and anyone else who feels strongly about this, particularly if it may affect their livelihood) to write to Ministers and other political contacts they may have, to try and resolve the situation.
Mr Krull said: 'It seems crazy that when UK business needs all the help it can get, something that could potentially prove so beneficial to the building services sector, not to mention the environment, will end-up flooring good companies, which have taken the right steps to improve their bottom-line and help Britain 'go green'.
'Ministers, don't delay things any further, get the RHI off the ground as planned and give Britain's economy the boost it so badly needs.'
Logic4training runs a selection of renewable courses, including solar thermal hot water, heat pumps and solar PV, all of which contribute to meeting the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) criteria, necessary for any installer wishing to take advantage of the RHI.