Cash boost for biomass

Farmers, foresters and biomass producers can apply for grants worth up to £200,000, thanks to a new round of financing announced this month by UK Environment Minister Phil Woolas.

The so-called 'Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme' aims to support the biomass industry in Great Britain, helping those who supply biomass fuel for heat and electricity generation.

'The fund will inject cash at the point of production. By investing in the biomass industry we are helping farmers, foresters and other producers to diversify and become part of an industry sector which is currently worth more than £25bn and growing,' said Woolas.

To be eligible for a grant, a project must be based in England and supply biomass to end-users in Great Britain.

At present, biomass provides 3.5 per cent of UK electricity and 0.6 percent of heat. But the UK Government believes that it could potentially supply 6 per cent of UK electricity by 2020. Demand for renewable heat could also potentially increase to about 6 per cent by 2020.