The U.K. National Audit Office (NAO) released a report on Jan. 24 assessing the U.K. government’s support for biomass. Both the U.K. Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) and Drax Group plc welcomed the report, emphasizing its recognition of the role of sustainably sourced biomass in achieving net-zero goals.
The NAO’s report evaluates the current role of biomass in heat and power generation, examines government responsibilities, and analyzes existing support schemes and the U.K. Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Biomass Strategy. It concludes that the U.K. government relies on biomass, coupled with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), to make a substantial contribution to net-zero goals. However, the NAO highlights concerns about the effectiveness of sustainability monitoring, citing long supply chains as a contributing factor.
The report calls on the U.K. government to review assurance arrangements for biomass support schemes, ensuring sufficient resources for oversight. It also recommends clarity on the roles and responsibilities of organizations providing assurance on sustainability. Drax and the REA support the NAO’s call for a review, emphasizing the importance of robust sustainability criteria and ongoing collaboration with the government to ensure positive climate, nature, and community outcomes.
