Value for Money
The government’s support for biomass
Published 24 January 2024
4 recommendations
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Climate change and net zeroEnergy and environmentEnergy infrastructure
nao.org.uk
Government has provided over £20 billion of support to biomass businesses but it can’t yet demonstrate adherence to its sustainability rules.
Recommendations (4)
Source: NAO Recommendations Tracker · PAC follow-up below
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rec 1
Accepted
Work in Progress
In taking forward its Biomass Strategy, DESNZ should: as part of its commitment to consider whether a requirement that 100% of woody biomass is sustainable against its land criteria, define its risk appetite for non-compliance against this increased threshold and ensure a commensurate assurance approach
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rec 2
Accepted
Work in Progress
In taking forward its Biomass Strategy, DESNZ should: evaluate whether its current arrangements provide adequate assurance that generators are complying with sustainability criteria on the Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference schemes. This should include a detailed review of accreditation schemes such as the Sustainable Biomass Program, an estimate of the current rates of non-compliance, and an assessment of whether all parts of the system of oversight share a coherent view of the level assurance achieved.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rec 3
Accepted
Work in Progress
In taking forward its Biomass Strategy, DESNZ should: commission and then publish an assessment of the potential environmental impact of transitional support to large scale biomass generation beyond 2027, including clarification of how long it expects these subsidies to continue prior to being replaced by government support for BECCS
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Rec 4
Accepted
Implemented
In taking forward its Biomass Strategy, DESNZ should: review annually its expectation of the contribution that BECCS will make to generating negative emissions and prepare in advance alternative options for achieving net zero in the event that BECCS?s contribution is lower than currently expected.
Parliamentary Committee Follow-Up
The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.
22nd Report - Government’s support for biomass
Public Accounts Committee
· 25 April 2025
· 16 recommendations