Renewable Energy Association launches bioenergy review

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has jumped the gun on the government’s delayed review of its Bioenergy Strategy by launching its own “far reaching” exercise examining the future of the sector.

The REA exercise is designed to outline a new policy strategy for government and industry, for how bioenergy can fulfil its long-term potential in a low-carbon energy mix.

The REA said it will provide a “comprehensive up-to-date” assessment of the current role of bioenergy and how it can help the UK to meet carbon targets by the year 2032, when the UK’s final carbon budget will end, as well as the 2050 goals.

The publication of the REA’s Bioenergy Strategy will come two years after the association says the first review of the government’s Bioenergy Strategy, which was published in 2012, was expected.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has recently estimated bioenergy’s contribution to UK total energy could more than double by 2050.

To launch the review, the REA is holding a call for evidence, hosted at www.bioenergy-strategy.com, about the future and potential of bioenergy.

Topics covered will range from sustainability and air quality to the economic value of bioenergy and its ability to cut energy bills.

Industry, academic specialists, NGOs and political stakeholders as well as the wider public are invited to submit evidence to the review.

Adam Brown, independent author for the bioenergy strategy report, said: “Bioenergy has been at the heart of the move to renewable energy in the UK. It currently provides the largest share of renewable energy, both globally and in the UK.

“Many of the policies which have helped spur the growth of bioenergy are now coming to an end and the energy markets and technologies have advanced significantly. So it’s time for an update of the UK’s strategy.

“We want to explore the role of bioenergy and how public policy and industry practice need to change if we’re to get the most out of this sector.

Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the REA, said: “Bioenergy is already a major part of British life. It’s our largest source of renewable heat, second largest source of renewable power and is a key solution to decarbonising transport today and into the future.

“It’s been central to the UK’s progress in cutting its carbon emissions.

“For bioenergy to fulfil its potential long into the future, we need a strong evidence base, expert inputs from industry and real political will.”