About Us
Encouraging CHP Self-Assessment and Certification under CHPQA provides the principal evidence required for determining eligibility for various benefits designed to encourage the development of CHP Schemes.
The Government is committed to increasing the UK’s CHP capacity because of the considerable environmental, economic and social benefits it can bring together with its contribution to security of supply.
At the end of 2009 there were 1,465 CHP Schemes with an aggregate Good Quality CHP. Capacity of 5,569 MWe, producing 7% of the UK's electricity requirements and saving an estimated 3.8 MtC* annually (see Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics, Chapter 6).
CHPQA provides the means to assess and monitor Good Quality CHP Capacity.
What's on offer
Given the carbon saving potential of CHP, the Government has taken positive steps to encourage the uptake of CHP. Benefits for investing in Good Quality CHP currently include:
- Climate Change Levy Exemption
- Enhanced Capital Allowances
- Exemption from Business Rating of CHP Plant and Machinery.
These benefits became available from April 1st 2001 in most parts of the UK.
CHPQA is a programme whereby Responsible Persons can apply for Registration and Certification of their Schemes in accordance with the criteria for Good Quality CHP and hence qualify for benefits.
Developers, users and potential users of CHP should check this site regularly for the latest announcements, documents and guidance.
A Voluntary Programme
CHPQA aims to define, assess and monitor CHP Schemes on the basis of energy efficiency and environmental performance, so ensuring fiscal and other benefits are in line with environmental performance.
CHPQA is entirely voluntary and provides a practical, determinate, and reliable methodology for assessing the quality of all types and sizes CHP Schemes, and their qualification as Good Quality CHP for all or part of their inputs, outputs and capacity.
It also aims to improve the quality of existing and new CHP Schemes, in order to enhance the 'environmental and other benefits' of CHP.
CHPQA is administered on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (formerly DEFRA).
*Based on fossil fuel conventional alternative electricity generation
