Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
6
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has overall responsibility for government’s approach to supporting biomass. In August 2023, DESNZ published its Biomass Strategy setting out the significant role it considers biomass can play in achieving net zero by 2050.6 The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) …
Government response. The government acknowledges DESNZ's overall responsibility for supporting biomass.
HM Treasury
12
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
In its Biomass Strategy, published in August 2023, DESNZ committed to develop and consult on a common sustainability framework which could be applied to all new future biomass schemes across different sectors of the economy. This consultation has yet to be launched, although DESNZ assured us that it would happen …
Government response. The government has been actively assessing its approach to sustainability assurance as part of a commitment to continuous improvement and to learn from international best practice and evolving international regulatory frameworks.
HM Treasury
14
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
In February 2025, the government announced it had agreed heads of terms for a deal to support Drax that will run from 2027 to 2031. As part of this deal, DESNZ has required Drax to source 100% of its fuel from sustainable sources, rather than the current 70%. DESNZ intends …
Government response. The government is working with LCCC and Ofgem to develop robust and transparent monitoring arrangements, assessing the cost and resource implications of new requirements, and ensuring Ofgem is appropriately resourced. They expect the independent sustainability advisor to play a role …
HM Treasury
15
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
One of the key themes of the government’s Biomass Strategy concerns the future availability of biomass.39 In 2021, the UK imported 9.1 million tonnes of wood pellets for use in energy production. Around 60% came from the US, 18% from the EU and 16% from Canada.40 DESNZ describes itself as …
Government response. DESNZ officials continue to monitor the international and domestic biomass supply landscape, but state that international pellet supply will continue to be vital, as UK biomass pellet production at a comparable scale would not be possible.
HM Treasury
17
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
Importing biomass involves long supply chains, which make it difficult to be sure that it is produced from genuinely sustainable sources.50 We are also concerned that recent international developments may undermine the system of carbon accounting that underpins the current supply of 39 C&AG’s Report, para 3.2 40 C&AG’S Report, …
Government response. DESNZ officials continue to monitor the international and domestic biomass supply landscape, but state that international pellet supply will continue to be vital, as UK biomass pellet production at a comparable scale would not be possible.
HM Treasury
25
Conclusion
22nd Report - Government’s support for …
Acknowledged
While much of the debate around biomass has focused on Drax, we received several written submissions outlining the important role played by smaller biomass generators in the UK. There are at present 54 regional biomass power stations that are primarily fuelled by waste wood from household waste recycling plants. These …
Government response. The government notes smaller-scale biomass generators can continue to be supplied by a variety of domestically sourced feedstock, but these are not suitable for the technologies currently used by larger-scale generators.
HM Treasury