Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
22nd Report - Government’s support for biomass
Public Accounts Committee
HC 715
Published 25 April 2025
Recommendations
16
Accepted
Domestic biomass production risks conflicting with food security and land availability.
Recommendation
DESNZ noted that global biomass prices would strongly influence how significant a role biomass would play and in what sectors, given that there are several areas in which it can be used.45 Higher biomass prices could encourage a growth in …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will monitor the international and domestic biomass supply landscape, ensuring that the government is abreast of changes to regulatory arrangements, market dynamics, and other factors that drive the supply of and demand for pellets.
HM Treasury
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Conclusions (6)
4
Conclusion
Accepted
The deployment of BECCS has been repeatedly delayed, even though it remains a key part of the government’s plans to decarbonise the UK. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and DESNZ both see BECCS as essential to the UK achieving its decarbonisation goals from Carbon Budget 6 (2033–37) onwards. Government initially …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating it will publish a report detailing its plan to meet carbon budgets and net zero targets. Additionally, an Independent Review of Greenhouse Gas Removals has been commissioned to assess how technologies like BECCS can assist the UK in achieving these goals.
5
Conclusion
Accepted
There are number of risks to the supply of biomass that need effective management. DESNZ’s Biomass Strategy identified a number of challenges for its use in the future which it needs to manage, including making sure that it has a secure supply of biomass and that it prioritises its use. …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states it continuously monitors the biomass supply landscape, including regulatory changes and market dynamics. It emphasizes ongoing reliance on international pellet supply, primarily from the US, as domestic production at a comparable scale is not possible.
1
Conclusion
Accepted
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (the Department) and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) on the government’s support for biomass.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is reflecting on current evaluation and audit processes to incorporate lessons into future plans, including the new Drax contract. This work will be strengthened by the forthcoming appointment of an independent sustainability advisor.
9
Conclusion
Accepted
We are concerned that the certification schemes that are intended to prove that biomass used in the UK is sustainably sourced may not be fit for purpose.12 DESNZ told us that they and Ofgem have benchmarked these third–party certification schemes to ensure that they are in line with the sustainability …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to complete a comprehensive assessment of its approach to gaining assurance around the sustainability of biomass by Autumn 2025. They will reflect on evaluation and audit processes and incorporate lessons learned into plans for the new Drax contract and Common Framework consultation, and appoint an independent sustainability advisor.
10
Conclusion
Accepted
Ofgem explained that the level of oversight is dictated by the size of the generator.17 At present, the largest recipient of financial support for biomass is Drax, the largest biomass electricity generator by some distance.18 While Ofgem did find misreporting in Drax’s 2021–22 annual returns, Ofgem told us that these …
Government Response Summary
The government states that Ofgem's investigation into Drax, leading to a £25 million payment, proves the current assurance regime is working well, as breaches are investigated and actions taken.
11
Conclusion
Accepted
Ofgem told us that there are 104 biomass power generators with a generating capacity over 1 MW, and which therefore receive the same level of oversight as Drax.22 In the last year, Ofgem found that 17 of these 104 had breached the support scheme’s sustainability criteria.23 While these non–compliant generators …
Government Response Summary
The government believes the Ofgem investigation into Drax and the subsequent redress payment demonstrates that the current assurance regime is working well, and breaches are thoroughly investigated and action taken.