Current Government policy on biomass heat neglects and undermines the significant economy which surrounds the sector and supports thousands of rural jobs and local communities. There is a huge opportunity for ministers to offer real support to the thousands of owner-managers and SMEs operating within the industry’s mature supply chains at a time when investment, economic growth and energy stability is most needed.

The biomass heat industry, and those operating and employed within it, works hand-in-hand with other rural industries from sustainable forestry management and wood pellet production (as a waste bi-product of woodlands), through to boiler installation, maintenance and fuel supply. This supports (and creates) skilled ‘green jobs’ in line with Government strategy for rural and remote areas. Investment in these businesses would also put money back into the communities who need it the most and where ‘levelling up’ support is often lacking.  

A healthy biomass heat sector creates greener jobs and more investment into rural areas

The UK’s biomass sector has been one of the fastest growing economies over the last decade supporting 46,000 jobs and over 700 supply chain companies. In 2017, 86% of the country’s renewable heat came from biomass installations, 70% of which were carried out under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

With continued support, the UK biomass industry has the potential to support 

“Biomass Heat Works! sends a clear message to Government and demonstrates how renewable energy, in particular, biomass, must play an integral role in the UK’s future energy mix, especially in rural areas which sits very well alongside our own net zero ambitions. 
Clear synergies exist between the UK Pellet Council, Wood Heat Association and the NFU,
so we are highly supportive of the campaign.”

Dr Jonathan Scurlock, Chief Advisor (Renewable Energy and Climate Change)
at the National Farmers’ Union.

A Necessary Commercial Requirement

Wood pellets for heat is often the only or lowest carbon option available to farming/food businesses, agricultural enterprises, and other commercial producers located in rural or remote off-grid locations (eg hotel/leisure venues, holiday lets). Wood pellets for UK domestic (home) and non-domestic (commercial) installations combined require approximately 650,000-700,000 tonnes per annum.

• a typical home will use approximately 5-10 tonnes per annum.

• a hotel or care home between 80-200 tonnes each year.

• a large poultry farm approximately 500-3,000 tonnes per annum.

• other large businesses (eg whiskey distillery) that have switched from oil can use up to 5,000 tonnes annually per site.