Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Deferred
Paragraph: 136
Condition BECCS taxpayer support on robust evidence of carbon neutrality and value for money.
Conclusion
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage has yet to be commercially deployed in the UK. We have concerns about whether biomass feedstocks can be scaled up sustainably to meet domestic and global demand and whether BECCS facilities will provide value for money. To ensure sufficient oversight of sustainability standards, the UK needs to develop domestic supplies of feedstocks. We do not oppose the use of BECCS for power in principle, but future taxpayer support for BECCS must be contingent on: a) robust, transparent evidence that the full lifecycle emissions from BECCS facilities in the UK are carbon neutral within a timeframe compatible with our climate targets; and, b) detailed assessment that BECCS facilities provide value for money.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response outlines plans to introduce recommended funding for community benefits from electricity transmission infrastructure and discussions on supply chain development, without addressing the committee's conditions for future taxpayer support for BECCS.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
136
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
59. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Chief Scientific Advisor commissioned a task and finish group to establish an evidence-based position on the validity of BECCS as a Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) option to deliver negative emissions. The group’s report will be published alongside the Biomass Strategy. 60. The Government is committed to developing a business model for power BECCS, which could support the conversion of eligible biomass power stations to BECCS plants. 12 Decarbonisation of the power sector: Government Response The Government recently consulted on a power BECCS business model, where it was stated that government will develop options for setting a maximum GHG threshold for the supply chain emissions, to ensure that BECCS delivers genuine net-negative emissions. 61. Deployment of GGRs, including BECCS, will be contingent on eligibility, availability of relevant transport and storage infrastructure where required, and an assessment of affordability and value for money.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗