REA Launches "Back Biomass" Campaign
30 August 2011
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has launched a new campaign urging Government to "Back Biomass" heat and power in its proposals on the incentives regime for renewable energy
REA say that sustainable biomass offers a proven, practical, secure source of low carbon energy as part of a balanced energy mix and aims to deliver that message to Government.
It says Government must not let the opportunity to reap the benefits of this flexible and affordable technology slip away as they fix the details and levels of future support for planned projects over the coming months.
The Government has committed to making decisions on the Renewables Obligation (RO) by the end of 2011, to set support levels applicable to renewable electricity generation and combined heat and power from 2013 to 2017.
To ensure confidence is maintained and projects proceed, the biomass sector is calling on Government to ensure that decisions taken not only provide sufficient levels of support to leverage the huge sums of private investment required, but are taken on time.
Until industry and investors receive clarity, many projects hang in the balance.
Sustainability
Rigorous new Government sustainability criteria will require generators to demonstrate at least a 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gases in order to be eligible for financial support.
Industry says it welcomes this measure, which will drive up standards in the sustainability and conservation of forestry, helping to ensure that biomass is cleaner and more sustainable than it has ever been.
Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the REA,said about the campaign: "It is highly significant that the Government has just increased its ambition for power generation from biomass. There are a number of large projects in development that would produce very cost-effective renewable electricity and can deliver steady baseload power. Their contribution towards our legally-binding renewables target is essential. They had been delayed by a policy glitch, but the new Government swiftly resolved this. Provided support levels are maintained in the forthcoming banding review, Government can look forward to these plants making their contribution towards meeting the UK's targets."
Support
The campaign launches with the support of Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP, who commented: "We want a balanced energy portfolio and we want biomass to play a central role in this. Biomass electricity is both predictable and controllable and I am very interested in the potential for co-firing and conversion. I am confident that the bioenergy industry can deliver our ambition for around 6GW of biomass electricity by 2020, as set out in our Renewables Roadmap."
"The UK industry has been at the forefront in ensuring biomass electricity is sustainable and that it delivers real greenhouse gas savings. The very clear sustainability criteria we now have in place will mean we know where biomass has come from and how it has been grown."
Also in support is Chris Williams, Green Energy Parks' managing director, who said today:"The Renewable Energy Association's (REA) 'Back Biomass' campaign, launched this week, provides a much-needed forum to represent the UK's biomass industry and deliver a coherent message to the top policy-makers about biomass's unique potential in the transition to a low carbon economy.
At Green Energy Parks, we believe strongly in finding effective solutions to boost energy security, at the same time as helping to cut emissions and divert waste away from landfill. Biomass technology presents a powerful means to achieve all of these things.
"As the Government has recognised, there is no 'silver bullet' solution for low carbon generation, but it is also clear that biomass provides the stability, flexibility and affordability to take a significant role in achieving a balanced energy mix.
"We urge everyone to get behind this campaign."
Darrel Moore
