Environmental groups urge end to biomass subsidies

In a letter addressed to cabinet members Ed Miliband (energy), David Lammy (foreign secretary), and Steve Reed (Defra), the group urged the government to end the practice in 2027 when the current subsidy scheme finishes. According to the signatories, continued subsidies for biomass risk damaging the UK’s reputation as a leader on climate action.

Drax, the UK’s largest biomass power station, has received around £7bn in government subsidies since 2012. While Drax says the wood it burns is carbon neutral having sequestered CO2 during its growth, this claim is now widely disputed. A report published in August 2024 by climate thinktank Ember found that Drax was Britain’s largest carbon emitter last year. Biomass burnt at the Yorkshire power station in 2023 released 11.5m tonnes of CO2, accounting for around three per cent of all UK carbon emissions. The same month saw Drax hit with a £25m fine for misreporting the power station's sustainability data.