Generating energy from biomass

To support this stance we have commissioned research to examine the emissions from producing and using biomass to generate electricity and heat compared with using coal and gas.  The summary and technical reports are available to download below.

Summary report

• Biomass: carbon sink or carbon sinner? Summary report  April 2009 (PDF, 62KB)

Correction: Earlier versions of this report used a figure of 25 per cent of future electricity generation capacity converted to CHP on page 8.  This should have read 75 per cent.  Please download this version to ensure you have the correct figure.

Technical report

• Minimising greenhouse gas emissions from biomass energy generation (PDF, 1.35MB)

Presentations from the launch of the biomass report

The official launch of this work was on 22 April 2009 in London.

• AEA Technology: Report findings (PDF, 554KB)
• Environment Agency: Policy conclusions and recommendations (PDF, 158KB)
• Department for Energy and Climate Change: Government response (PDF, 317KB)
• Renewable Energy Association: Industry response (PDF, 460KB)

A talk was also given by the RSPB, however this was mainly unsupported by Powerpoint.