CHPQA - Quality Assurance for Combined Heat and Power

Frequently-Asked Questions

Q: We are a Small Scale CHP Scheme operator. Do we still have to submit heat profiles?

A: If you have no heat rejection facility, then you don’t. Schemes with heat rejection facility should provide all. If data is not available to be able to plot the heat load duration curve, an estimate of Max Heat is required. For more information, please refer to the updated GN12.5.

Q: I see the CHPQA Guidance Notes have been updated, are there any key material changes that I should be aware of?

A: The CHPQA Guidance Notes are an evolving document, with sections being refined and updated. Each Note has a latest version reference in the footnote to enable users to check that they are referring to the up to date version. Changes to the Guidance Notes will also be flagged up on the CHPQA Home Page. We would recommend that you update the copies of the Guidance Notes of particular relevance to you, rather than print out the entire document.

Q: Some of the CHPQA Forms have ‘draft’ written in the footnote. Should I be wait for the ‘final’ versions?

A: No, use the Forms currently on the Web Site.

Q: CHPQA Certificates for 2011 – existing CHP schemes. When to submit Self-Assessment forms (F4) to obtain 2011 CHPQA Certificates for existing CHP Schemes

Background

1. CHPQA Certificates for 2010 are valid until 31/12/2010.
2. Entitlement to Climate Change Levy exemption is demonstrated by a Secretary of State (combined heat and power) exemption Certificate.
3. The Secretary of State (combined heat and power) exemption Certificate remains valid from the date of issue, unless varied or revoked, provided the operator maintains its validity by sending a copy of a suitable, current CHPQA Certificate to the Secretary of State annually by 30th June.
4. Completion of HM Revenue and Customs form PP11 (Supplier Certificate) and PP10 (Supporting Analysis) requires data certified under CHPQA. Bear in mind that each form refers to the entire fuel supply for the customer account in question, and not necessarily just to the fuel used by the CHP Scheme. You must review the accuracy of a supplier certificate at least annually and take corrective action where required. The HMRC notice CCL 1/2 Combined Heat and Power Schemes provides guidance on this process.

Advice

1. Self-Assessments to support application for CHPQA Certificates for 2011 must be based on actual data up to the end of 2010.
2. Entitlement to CCL exemption will not be affected so long as you send a copy of the new CHPQA Certificate for 2011 to the Secretary of State by 30th June 2011.
3. Please send in your completed Self-Assessments to the CHPQA Administrator as soon as possible, and not later than March 31st 2011, to help ensure that you receive your CHPQA Certificate for 2010 in good time to maintain validity of your Secretary of State (combined heat and power) exemption Certificate.