Bioenergy

Bioenergy — the generation of energy from biological sources such as plants, organic waste, and algae — plays a crucial role in the UK’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future. As part of the broader bioeconomy, which encompasses the production of renewable biological resources and their conversion into food, materials, and energy, bioenergy represents both an economic and environmental opportunity.

In the UK, bioenergy is already a significant contributor to renewable energy supply, supporting national targets for carbon reduction and energy security. It provides a versatile energy source — capable of generating heat, electricity, and transport fuels. Moreover, bioenergy can play a strategic role in helping hard-to-decarbonise sectors, such as aviation and heavy industry, move towards net zero. By aligning with circular economy principles and advancing technologies like carbon capture and storage (BECCS — Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage), bioenergy not only reduces emissions but has the potential to deliver negative emissions.

As the UK strengthens its commitment to clean growth and energy independence, bioenergy stands as a key pillar of the bioeconomy — fostering innovation, investment, and sustainable prosperity across the nation.

Biomass Derived Power

Biomass use in electricity generation has seen significant uptake over the past two decades, supported by renewable energy incentives, such as the Renewables Obligation (RO), Contracts for Difference (CfD) and the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) mechanisms.

Biomass power generation has the advantage over other renewables, such as solar and wind, by providing baseload or dispatchable generation from domestic or imported low-carbon feedstocks, delivering low-carbon, renewable electricity whilst also supporting energy security ambitions.

Looking ahead, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) will continue to play an important role in providing either dispatchable or baseload power, complementing the variability of other renewables.

Biomass Heat

The use of biomass in heat generation has increased in recent years, supported by the Domestic and Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) mechanisms.

Biomass has a role in decarbonising off-grid properties as well as certain industrial processes, where other local-carbon alternatives are not well-suited. Biomass in the form of wood, waste and agricultural residues can be used as direct replacements to fossil-derived solid and liquid fuels, in the form of pellets, chips, bales, oils or gases, for example.

In the UK, biomass is also widely used to generate biogas or biomethane for direct heat production or injection into the gas grid, respectively. Biomethane is a direct replacement for natural gas and can easily be conveyed through the existing gas grid, playing an important role in optimising the path to net zero and increasing energy security. Further detail on Biomethane in the UK is provided here.

Hydrogen can also be produced from biomass feedstocks via a number of production routes, and will be useful for decarbonising the wider energy system in the future. Significant development and commercialisation efforts are underway, supported by Government and aligned with the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.