An action plan to unlock the potential for renewable energy in biomass was published by the Government on 27th April. The plan accepts that energy from crops, trees and waste can make a strong contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sets out 12 key ways to make this happen. Biomass currently accounts for 84 per cent of Britain’s renewable energy generation and 1.4 per cent of total energy generation.

Measures include a 5 year capital grant scheme for biomass boilers; the establishment of a new Biomass Energy Centre to provide expert information and advice, along with further grant support for biomass supply chains and a commitment to consider using biomass heating in Government buildings.

The action plan is primarily for England. However the Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have helped in its development and it will also contribute to a UK biomass strategy, which will be published in the next year.

The full report is available online at www.dti.gov.uk/renewables/renew_1.4.htm or by linking from Defra’s biomass page at www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/energy/biomass-taskforce.

Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk (accessed 03/05/06)

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