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Biomass Strategy Response
November 2023
Developing transportable on farm pelletisation technology as part of the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Program (BFIP)
We have taken our time to issue a response to the strategy, deliberately choosing to attend several key industry events first. It is important for us to understand the future value that bioenergy will bring to UK agriculture and how our project can provide additional benefits within this framework.
Throughout this process we have heard strong statements delivered from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, as well as the UK Chief Scientific Officer. In their support of the strategy, both have consolidated the importance of the role which biomass has to play in meeting Net Zero targets. Furthermore, we are now further aligned with epicentre of UK bioenergy developments and have been involved in discussions surrounding the strategy. This has allowed us to act as both a relevant and reliable information source for our key stakeholders.
In this response, we will set out the three key areas we have identified as most relevant to delivering domestic biomass security in conjunction with UK agriculture:
1. A clear statement on the increased planting of energy crops
The Biomass Strategy emphasises the government’s continued support towards scaling energy
crop establishment in the UK. Setting out annual new planting targets of between 9000-17000ha
annually from 2038, an exponential supply goal when compared with the limited annual planting
increases over the past decade¹.
We increasingly recognise the need for leadership to meet these planting objectives.
Consequently, we remain committed to continue working with key agricultural stakeholders to
develop a clear business case for new UK biomass suppliers, in the absence of any new direct
government incentives.
That said, the current lack of clarity regarding the role of energy crops within UK land use policy is
limiting the opportunity for change. A strategic, government led framework that clearly
emphasises the role of energy crops for both Agriculture and Bioenergy would bring the
confidence needed to support future growth.
1https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/943264/nonfood-statsnotice2019-10dec20v3.pdf
2. Sustainable sourcing and food security
In realising the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, we agree with the Biomass Strategy’s emphasis on
sustainable biomass sourcing and the avoidance of compromising food production or clashing
with other environmental commitments. We also support the necessity for an appropriate
balance in preventing indirect greenhouse gas emissions or other adverse environmental
impacts resulting from land use change.
However, as the Biomass Strategy makes clear, the valuable role energy crops can play towards
decarbonisation by providing a versatile domestic, low-carbon and renewable fuel source should
not be underestimated. Furthermore, in line with sustainable agriculture, we believe there is
potential for energy crops to be integrated into a regenerative farming system. When managed
correctly and in line with recent research, energy crops can coexist alongside food crops and
other land uses; helping to maximise returns on marginal land, while positively contributing to
soil health and water, nutrient and carbon storage.
3. An ongoing commitment to innovation
As participants of the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Program, we welcome the support awarded to innovative biomass technologies to address the barrier to domestic biomass production. Innovations such as our own decentralised pelletising technology (currently under development) are vital in achieving the scaling up necessary to meet anticipated demand for biomass in the medium and long term, supporting delivery of negative emissions. We remain confident that through such innovation, domestically sourced biomass will be able to compete with imported biomass on both a cost and carbon basis.
Looking ahead
To conclude, it is our opinion that the Biomass Strategy is a positive step forward, but very much a
starting point upon which we must all collectively build to consolidate the role of biomass in
meeting Net Zero targets.
Looking ahead, a clear land use framework is required to better support the requirement for the
increased scaling of energy crops and to promote wider understanding within UK agriculture.
With or without policy measures that support energy crops in the short term, White Horse Energy
remains committed to keep working within UK agriculture and the wider UK bioenergy
community to deliver an unrivalled domestic biomass programme in the UK.