Support Levels For Biomass Set

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced future support levels for biomass, as well as confirming levels of support for solar power.

In October 2012, the Scottish Government launched a consultation on the levels of the renewables obligation for biomass and solar energy.

Mr Ewing has now announced the Scottish Government response to that consultation. Wood fuelled biomass stations with an installed capacity greater than 15MW will only receive support under the renewables obligation if they operate as combined heat and power (CHP) stations.

Where stations lose their combined heat and power status – for example, if a contract to supply heat to a local area or business ends – then those stations will remain eligible for reduced support under the renewables obligation for no more than five years, providing some time to regain their CHP status.

Support in other areas, including solar PV, will mirror those applying across the rest of the UK.

Minister Ewing commented: “Sustainable biomass provides huge opportunities for the people of Scotland – jobs in construction, jobs in the plants and in the forest supply sector, reduced emissions and reduced energy bills. “Providing the forest supply sector with new markets will also allow them to plant more trees.

“Over the last decade the Renewables Obligation has helped to almost triple renewable output in Scotland, while the sector has attracted around £2.8 billion of investment since 2009, according to industry figures.

“Estimates from the industry meanwhile have suggested that there are presently around 11,000 jobs in the renewables sector in Scotland, a figure which the successful development of our resources will increase massively.”