UK government launches biomass APPG
London, 27 March (Argus) — The UK government must provide clarity on biomass to ensure it receives the investment it needs, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said at the first biomass all-party parliamentary group (APPG) meeting this month.
The biomass APPG, which consists of 20 members from the House of Lords and House of Commons, was set up “to explore all aspects of biomass use for the production of renewable energy, including sustainability criteria, environmental impact, logistics, farming, forestry and its efficiency as a source of energy”, according to the parliament website.
The group held a debate on sustainable biomass during its first meeting, and invited a panel of biomass market participants including representatives from the Forestry Stewardship Council, UK generator Drax and the UK's REA to take part.
“The establishment of the biomass APPG represents an important milestone in getting recognition for the importance of heat and power from sustainable biomass,” REA chief executive Gaynor Hartnell said. “The strength of support for the biomass APPG from the industry and beyond is a sign of the deep interest in the future of this technology and a signal to government that clarity is needed to ensure the jobs and growth that biomass can deliver attracts the investment it needs. Keeping up the pressure on government remains as important as ever,” she said.
Discussions were focused around the implementation and development of UK and EU-wide sustainability criteria. Conservative MP Nigel Adams is chairman of the biomass APPG.
Market participants are awaiting the final renewable obligation certificate (Roc) banding consultation response from the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc), which will determine how many Rocs each type of renewable energy will receive per MWh of electricity produced.
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