Grants given for biomass growers

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will offer grants of up to £200,000 under the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme, to help farmers, foresters and biomass producers to increase the supply of sustainable fuel.

UK producers are setting the standard and have shown production can be sustainable

Phil Woolas

Environment Minister

Biomass currently provides 3.4 per cent of the UK's electricity needs and 0.6 per cent of heat requirements and has an important role in meeting the country's target of 20 per cent of energy generated from renewable sources.

DEFRA estimates that six per cent of both electricity and heat needs could come from the resource, which is classed as renewable because the carbon dioxide it absorbs while growing offsets that released when it is burnt.

Phil Woolas, Environment Minister, commented: "UK producers are setting the standard and have shown production can be sustainable and our investment will support their commitment to this emerging industry.

He also said the investment in biomass production will help UK firms enter in the environmental industry, which is worth over £25 billion and expanding.

The Climate Change Bill, which is currently in the House of Commons for consideration, sets a framework for the UK to reduce its environmental impact, including a target of a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.