Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to his Department’s bioenergy emissions calculator, what progress his Department has made on ensuring that (a) biomass used for power generation (i) has its transportation distances minimised and (ii) has its moisture content minimised before drying and (b) pellets should be dried using local biomass residues rather than fossil fuels.

The UK has some of the toughest bioenergy sustainability criteria in the world and the UK remains at the forefront of improving sustainability standards. From next year payments will only be made for biomass which meets these standards.

The greenhouse gas requirement uses the standard EU methodology and requires that biomass conversions represent at least a 69% GHG saving compared to coal. Generators may also use the Bioenergy Emissions and Counterfactual model to help in sourcing their biomass responsibly. The model adds to the evidence base and will be used to shape our future biomass policies.