Government support for biomass

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 4 Feb 2025 Closed: 16 Jun 2025 Parliament page
Over £20bn in support for businesses and households using biomass (such as plants or food waste) for fuel has been provided by Government since 2002. In combination with carbon capture, usage and storage , the Government is relying on the use of biomass to make a significant contribution to reaching … Read more
2 Recommendations
23 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
5 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 9 events
15 Dec
2025
Correspondence
15 Dec
2025
Correspondence
15 Dec
2025
Correspondence
10 Jul
2025
Report published
25 Apr
2025
Report published
27 Mar
2025
Correspondence
27 Mar
2025
Correspondence
3 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
3 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
3 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
Ashley Ibbett · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Dr Sarah Redwood OBE · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Jeremy Pocklington · Ministry of Defence Jonathan Brearley · Ofgem Jonathan Brearley · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Kiera Schoenemann · Ofgem
Title HC No. Published Items Response
22nd Report - Government’s support for biomass HC 715 25 Apr 2025 25 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
6 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
DESNZ holds overall responsibility for biomass strategy, with Ofgem administering financial support schemes.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has overall responsibility for government’s approach to supporting biomass. In August 2023, DESNZ published its Biomass Strategy setting out the significant role it considers biomass can play in achieving net zero … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges DESNZ's overall responsibility for supporting biomass.
HM Treasury
View details
12 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
Consultation on new biomass sustainability framework and 100% target remains delayed.
In its Biomass Strategy, published in August 2023, DESNZ committed to develop and consult on a common sustainability framework which could be applied to all new future biomass schemes across different sectors of the economy. This consultation has yet to … Read more
Government Response
The government has been actively assessing its approach to sustainability assurance as part of a commitment to continuous improvement and to learn from international best practice and evolving international regulatory frameworks.
HM Treasury
View details
14 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
Government agreed Drax deal requiring 100% sustainable fuel, necessitating a tighter assurance regime.
In February 2025, the government announced it had agreed heads of terms for a deal to support Drax that will run from 2027 to 2031. As part of this deal, DESNZ has required Drax to source 100% of its fuel … Read more
Government Response
The government is working with LCCC and Ofgem to develop robust and transparent monitoring arrangements, assessing the cost and resource implications of new requirements, and ensuring Ofgem is appropriately resourced. They expect the independent sustainability advisor to play a role in ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of strengthened sustainability arrangements.
HM Treasury
View details
15 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
Sustainable biomass supply faces limitations, raising concerns about UK energy security.
One of the key themes of the government’s Biomass Strategy concerns the future availability of biomass.39 In 2021, the UK imported 9.1 million tonnes of wood pellets for use in energy production. Around 60% came from the US, 18% from … Read more
Government Response
DESNZ officials continue to monitor the international and domestic biomass supply landscape, but state that international pellet supply will continue to be vital, as UK biomass pellet production at a comparable scale would not be possible.
HM Treasury
View details
17 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
Long biomass supply chains complicate sustainability verification and carbon accounting reliability.
Importing biomass involves long supply chains, which make it difficult to be sure that it is produced from genuinely sustainable sources.50 We are also concerned that recent international developments may undermine the system of carbon accounting that underpins the current … Read more
Government Response
DESNZ officials continue to monitor the international and domestic biomass supply landscape, but state that international pellet supply will continue to be vital, as UK biomass pellet production at a comparable scale would not be possible.
HM Treasury
View details
25 Conclusion Acknowledged
22nd Report - Government’s support…
Uncertainty surrounds government plans for smaller biomass generators to convert to BECCS after 2027.
While much of the debate around biomass has focused on Drax, we received several written submissions outlining the important role played by smaller biomass generators in the UK. There are at present 54 regional biomass power stations that are primarily … Read more
Government Response
The government notes smaller-scale biomass generators can continue to be supplied by a variety of domestically sourced feedstock, but these are not suitable for the technologies currently used by larger-scale generators.
HM Treasury
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 19 of 2 classified
Accepted 7
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 4
Rejected 2
Total 2 recs + 23 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
15 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to Government support for biomass, 03 December 2025
Parliament page
15 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to Regulation of the biomass industry, 30 October 2025
Parliament page
15 Dec 2025 To committee Letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to Regulation of the biomass industry, 03 December 2025
Parliament page
27 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from the Chief Sustainability Officer at Drax relating to providing help with the Committee’s recommendations to Government regarding Biomass, 17 March 2025
Parliament page
27 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero relating to the oral evidence session held on 03 March 2025 on The Government’s Support for Biomass, including additional details on Drax Heads of Terms, 19 March 2025
Parliament page