The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a new Government initiative providing finance to non-domestic renewable heat generators and producers of biomethane in Great Britain.

Designed to revolutionise the way heat is generated and used, this is the first financial support scheme for renewable heat of its kind. Under the scheme's terms, organisations may to apply for assistance and, if successful, receive payments on a quarterly basis for heat generated over 20 years.

£860 million has been made available from central Government funding to support the RHI over the period 2011-2015.

The following technologies are included in the scheme:

• Biomass boilers (Including CHP biomass boilers).
• Solar Thermal.
• Ground Source Heat Pumps.
• Water Source Heat Pumps.
• On-Site Biogas combustion.
• Deep Geothermal.
• Energy from Municipal Solid Waste.
• Injection of biomethane into the grid.

The scheme is being introduced in two phases. In the first phase, long-term tariff support is targeted within the non-domestic sectors, focusing on high energy consumers, including the industrial, business and public sectors. These energy users contribute 38% of the UK's carbon emissions.

For more information see Ofgem E-serve or DECC