Environmental groups including Greenpeace and RSPB issue fresh call to end biomass subsidies

A consultation was launched by the previous government to consider extending the scheme past its proposed end date of 2027.

Over the past two decades, the Government has provided over £20bn of support to businesses using biomass in the power and heat sectors.

Biomass power stations use generators which burn wood pellets as fuel to produce energy. Supporters claim the method of energy production is environmentally friendly due to CO2 being sequestered during the growth of the wood which is used to produce the pellets.

Multiple politicians, scientists and campaign groups, however, argue that the method has the potential to increase global CO2 emissions.

The letter, which was also addressed to Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed, states: “Burning forests in power stations makes climate change worse.

“It emits huge volumes of greenhouse gases and forests take decades to recover the capacity to absorb carbon – timescales that far exceed critical climate tipping points. Nevertheless, these mega-emitters receive billions in low-carbon subsidies.”

The Government did not respond to requests for comment.

Drax, which currently generates energy using biomass wood pellets at four of its units in Selby, claims that biomass generators are “critical to UK energy security”.

The company received roughly £548m in subsidies last year, according to Ofgem.

Drax is also developing bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology at its North Yorkshire site, which aims to capture and store underground the emissions produced from burning biomass.

A spokesperson for the company added: “Drax provides secure renewable power to millions of homes and businesses when they need it, not just when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.The science underpinning biomass generation is supported by the world’s leading climate experts, including the UN’s IPCC and the UK’s CCC.

“The support we receive from the UK Government is for the power produced and similar arrangements underpin other forms of renewable generation."

Drax said an extension of Government support was "essential" to facilitating BECCS in the UK, adding: "The millions of tonnes of carbon removals that BECCS will deliver will play a critical role in supporting the Government’s 2030 clean electricity goal and Net Zero targets.”

Drax Power Station produced about four per cent of the UK’s electricity last year.

Matt Williams, campaigner for Cut Carbon Not Forests and Senior Advocate at NRDC, who was also a signatory of the letter, said: “Power companies that are burning the world’s forests don’t deserve another penny of the public’s money.”

Melanie Coath, principal climate change policy officer at the RSPB said, “Instead of investing billions in propping up the polluting bioenergy industry, the UK Government must invest in genuine solutions to the nature and climate emergency."