Government approves £26m biomass funding

Innovation funding of £26 million has been approved to advance biomass projects that boost the use of grasses, hemp, seaweed and other materials as sustainable fuel.

The funding, which is part of the government’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, will be available to projects that drive biomass productivity in the UK to help reach the 2050 net-zero goal.

The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme builds on previous allocation of funds and will be open to successful applicants from the first round.

The second phase will allow projects to scale up to drive biomass productivity in the UK through the breeding, planting, cultivating and harvesting of organic matter. This could include water-based materials such as algae, whole trees, and sustainable forestry operations.

Funds were granted to 25 projects of varying sizes under the first phase of the programme. The next stage will see schemes developed from design stage to fully demonstratable projects. It will showcase new methods to grow biomass materials, which can be used to produce low-carbon energy.

“Developing greener fuels like biomass is key to helping the UK slash carbon emissions and drive down costs for consumers,” Greg Hands, energy and climate minister said.

“This £26 million government investment will support innovators across the UK, boosting jobs and investment, and help ensure we have the homegrown supply we need to support our plans to build back greener and tackle climate change.”

Projects can bid for up to £4 million, or up to £5 million for bids from the multi-site demonstrator projects to showcase new biomass feedstock production projects in multiple locations across the UK.

Phase 1 projects included producing algae using wastewater from breweries and dairy industries, farming seaweed off the North Yorkshire coast, and increasing the planting and harvesting capacity for willow.