54C.—(1) This Article applies where a renewables obligation order contains banding provision.
(2) The order may provide for the effect of any banding provision made in an earlier order, or of any provision of a pre-commencement order, to continue, in such circumstances as may be specified, in relation to—
(a)the electricity generated by generating stations of such a description as may be specified, or
(b)so much of that electricity as may be determined in accordance with the order.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) “pre-commencement order” means an order made under Article 52 before the coming into operation of this Article.
(4) Paragraph (6) applies to a generating station in respect of which a statutory grant has been awarded if—
(a)the generating station is of a specified description or
(b)the circumstances of the case meet specified requirements.
(5) The requirements specified under paragraph (4)(b) may relate to the time when the grant was awarded (whether a time before or after the coming into force of this Article).
(6) A renewables obligation order which contains banding provision may provide for the operation of that provision in relation to electricity generated by a generating station to which this paragraph applies to be conditional upon the operator of the station agreeing—
(a)if the grant or any part of it has been paid by a Minister or Department, to repay to the Minister or Department, as the case may be, the whole or a specified part of the grant or part before the repayment date
(b)to pay interest on an amount repayable under sub-paragraph (a) for such period, and at such rate, as may be determined by the Minister or Department as appropriate, and
(c)if the grant or any part of it has not yet been paid, to consent to the cancellation of the award of the grant or part.
(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6)—
(a)“the repayment date” means the date specified in or determined in accordance with the order, and
(b)the period for which interest is payable must not begin before the grant was paid or, if the repayment relates to an instalment of the grant, before the instalment was paid;
and, for the purposes of provision made under that paragraph, a renewables obligation order may make provision about the cancellation of an award of a statutory grant or an instalment of such a grant.
(8) In this Article “statutory grant” means—
(a)a grant awarded under section 5(1) of the Science and Technology Act 1965 (grants to carry on or support scientific research), or
(b)any other grant which is payable out of public funds and awarded under a statutory provision.
(9) This Article is without prejudice to Article 55D (1)(b) (power for renewables obligation order to include transitional provision and savings).]
F1Arts. 52-55F substituted (1.2.2009) for arts. 52-55 by Energy (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/35), art. 2 (with art. 4)