31/03/2017 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission announced on Friday 31 March that it had approved changes to the Northern Ireland renewable heat incentive scheme. The United Kingdom wants to introduce a 'tiered' tariff system. The changes introduce an overall cap on the number of operating hours for which beneficiaries can receive support in any given year. The Northern Irish authorities will also conduct a full review of the scheme which will remain in place until 31 March 2018. The scheme was initially approved by the Commission in 2012. At the time, the Commission decided that the scheme did not involve overcompensation of the recipients of the aid. Competition distortions were, thus, reduced to a minimum. (EL)