AEA Technology PLC : Ricardo-AEA wins contract to manage UK Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance programme

•    Contract awarded against competitive tender by the UK Government Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

•    Three year award - with optional extension of a further two years - and total potential value in excess of £5 million

•    First major contract awarded to Ricardo-AEA since the formation of this new Ricardo division

The UK's Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) programme is a robust and auditable accreditation methodology for assessing and certifying the country's combined heat and power schemes. The former AEA Europe developed and implemented the programme and has managed it under previous contracts with UK Government departments. This work will be continued by the same team within Ricardo-AEA under the new contract revealed today.

The CHPQA programme validates and certifies some 1000 CHP schemes annually, including the execution of on-site audits. It covers all types of CHP applications and technologies including energy from waste plants, and both conventional and renewable fuels. The programme covers CHP schemes within the UK as well as those located in other European countries that export part of their electricity to the UK. Its methodology enables public support measures to be targeted only at good quality CHP that provides significant energy and environmental benefits.

A key part of this contract is the provision of confidential policy support to DECC and other Government departments on UK and EU policies and how these relate to CHP including, where appropriate, associated district heating. This will encompass a wide range of policies including the Carbon Reduction Commitment energy efficiency scheme, the EU Emissions Trading System, the Renewable Heat Incentive, Renewables Obligation and Carbon Price Support.

"We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this new contract to operate the UK's CHPQA programme," said Mahmoud Abu-Ebid, Ricardo-AEA's business manager for Combined Heat and Power.  "Being given the opportunity to continue managing this flagship programme - a key UK climate change mitigation initiative - and also provide confidential policy and technical support to DECC on a wide variety of topics relating to CHP, underscores the quality of the service provided to date and is a vote of confidence in the new Ricardo-AEA organization."

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