Energy Minister Arlene Foster has announced new support levels for solar photovoltaic and biomass under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO).

The new levels, which will come into operation on 1 April 2013, are designed to incentivise larger solar photovoltaic stations and offer higher support levels for building mounted solar projects than for ground mounted.

New large scale biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plants will also be eligible to receive a higher support level for six months longer than previously announced.

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Announcing the new levels, Arlene Foster said: "In response to the recent consultation on the NIRO, support for larger solar projects will be split into two new bands – building-mounted and ground-mounted. The introduction of a specific banding level for building-mounted solar projects will create opportunities for factories and warehouses to consider solar technology as a way of generating their own power requirements.

"The additional six month eligibility period for new large scale biomass CHP stations, which retains support at the current ROC level until 30 September 2015, provides certainty for investors in a technology which offers great potential in Northern Ireland."

(CD/GK)