Archived press release

Biomass Taskforce ignores business, farmers and green groups

25 October 2005

Today, Friends of the Earth, businesses, farmers and trade associations, disputed claims by the Biomass Task Force that a long-term incentive for renewable heat is `unworkable' and called on the government not to close the door on the idea of a renewable heat obligation.

The government taskforce, in its report published today on the future of biomass, dismissed the idea of a renewable heat obligation despite a recommendation for exactly the same mechanism by the Royal Commission only last year (1).

The taskforce has ignored calls from the very businesses and the farmers it is supposed to be helping (2). The proposal for grants may be helpful in the short- term however; businesses and farmers need the assurance of a stable, long-term framework of support. Without this, businesses will be unwilling to invest in biomass technology and farmers will be less likely to plant slow-growing biomass crops such as willow.

A private members bill being introduced by Mark Lazarowicz MP has its second reading on 11 November, contains a clause calling for a renewable heat obligation. This bill, if allowed to progress, will allow further detailed discussion of the idea endorsed by so many stakeholders, which they feel has not been given a fair chance.

Friends of the Earth's Climate Campaigner, Katie Elliott said:

"Supporting renewable heat is going to be critical in the fight against climate change. The Government is struggling to meet its carbon dioxide targets and should be listening to the very businesses and farmers who will be investing in renewable heat. An obligation would promote sustainable technologies across the board, which is ultimately what we need."

Country Land and Business Association's Head of Rural Economy & Chief Surveyor, Oliver Harwood, said:

"The grants available for renewable heat have in the past been stop start, and cash limited. The Renewable Obligation provides a far better model, and has successfully increased private investment in the electricity sector. Despite some additional complications, there is no reason why this approach cannot work for heat from biomass, as well as other renewable technologies. Farmers and rural businesses need long term security to underpin investment in energy crops and heat installations."

National Right to Fuel Campaign's Chairman, Michael King:

"With predictions of a severe winter ahead, affordable heating is vitally important to families living on low incomes. Recent rises in gas and electricity prices are a foretaste of the future as depleting fossil fuels sources lead to ever increasing costs to consumers. For this reason it is vital that we begin to move the fuel poor onto renewable sources of heat. A renewable heat obligation could be the first step in that direction".

Business Development Director for Wood Energy Ltd (WEL), the UK's leading biomass heating company, Stewart Boyle, said:

"Capital grants do help this sector and are helping to turn our sector into a big success story, but they do not allow us to plan long term, as grants can be withdrawn as we have seen with Clear Skies. A Renewable Heat Obligation would allow serious long-term planning and development of this sector. The Task Force have rejected this option far too prematurely and based on little analysis."

Renewable Power Association's Director of Policy, Gaynor Hartnell:

"Biomass can play a role in reducing emissions in all three energy sectors - electricity generation, heat production and transport. Biomass is the most cost effective green alternative, when it comes to heat production. We have a market-based obligation for renewable electricity, and expect one for transport fuels to be announced shortly. But renewable heat has been left out in the cold."

Combined Heat & Power Association's Head of Research, Syed Ahmed:

"Government continues to overlook the importance of heat, both in respect of the needs of domestic and industrial customers as well as its impact on climate change. We support the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's call for a national sustainable heat strategy where all options for capturing the potential for low-carbon heat and biomass need to be explored."

A renewable heat obligation would require energy suppliers to source a percentage of heating fuel from renewable sources such as willow, straw, solar power and ground heat. Around a third of the UK's demand for energy is for heat.

Notes

1. www.rcep.org.uk/bioreport.htm

2. On 15 October 2004, a new Biomass Study was launched to help the Government and the industry develop biomass energy in support of renewable energy targets and sustainable farming and forestry and rural objectives
www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/energy/biomass-taskforce/

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust