How Biomass is driving the UK’s renewable energy goals

The UK has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, aiming to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2035.

To reach this goal, the UK is aggressively pursuing an increase in its renewable energy capacity, with a particular emphasis on offshore wind power.

In fact, the government is aiming for clean power to meet 100% of electricity demand by 2030, with at least 95% of electricity generation coming from low-carbon sources and no more than 5% from unabated gas.

Biomass power stations play a crucial role in this energy transition, providing a reliable and sustainable source of electricity.

This article examines how biomass power stations contribute to the UK’s renewable energy goals, exploring their role in the energy mix, environmental impact, and the government policies that support their development.

The UK’s renewable energy goals

The UK has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a key milestone of fully decarbonising the power sector by 2035.

This ambitious target requires a significant shift towards renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and biomass.

The government’s strategy includes ambitious plans to deploy up to 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and increase solar capacity by 70 GW by 2035. These efforts are driven by the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change4.

Historically, coal power was the main source of electricity generation in the United Kingdom.

However, most of the UK’s coal-fired power plants have closed in line with plans to phase out coal-fired generation by October 2024. In addition, nuclear’s share in electricity generation has also been declining to around 15% of generation.

To achieve zero-carbon electricity, the current government aims to eliminate all fossil fuels from its mix – primarily natural gas – which currently account for more than a third of the country’s power generation.

This ambitious goal presents a significant challenge, as natural gas has played a key role in displacing coal over the decades.

The role of Biomass in the UK’s energy mix

Biomass power stations utilise organic matter, such as wood pellets, agricultural residues, and waste wood, to generate electricity.

In 2021, bioenergy was the second-largest source of renewable energy in the UK, contributing 12.9% of the total electricity supply. Biomass offers several advantages in the UK’s energy mix:

• Reliable and Consistent Power Generation: Unlike intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, biomass power stations can provide a consistent and reliable supply of electricity, regardless of weather conditions. This characteristic makes them a valuable asset for grid stability and ensuring a continuous power supply, especially during peak demand or when other renewable sources are unavailable.
• Fuel Diversity: Biomass power stations contribute to the diversification of the UK’s energy sources, reducing reliance on any single fuel type. This enhances energy security and reduces vulnerability to price fluctuations or supply disruptions in the global energy market.
• Waste Utilisation: Biomass power stations can utilise waste materials, such as agricultural residues and wood waste, that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills. This reduces waste and promotes a circular economy by turning waste into a valuable energy resource.

How Biomass power stations work

Biomass power stations generate electricity by burning organic materials, such as wood pellets, agricultural residues, and biogas, to produce steam. This steam drives a turbine, which in turn powers a generator to produce electricity.

The process can be summarised as follows:

1. Fuel Preparation: Biomass fuel is collected and processed, often involving drying, chipping, or pelletising to improve combustion efficiency.
2. Combustion: The biomass fuel is burned in a boiler, generating heat.
3. Steam Generation: The heat from combustion is used to heat water, producing high-pressure steam.
4. Electricity Generation: The steam drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity.
5. Emission Control: Flue gases from combustion are filtered to remove pollutants before being released into the atmosphere.

Some biomass power stations also utilise combined heat and power (CHP) systems, where the steam is used for both electricity generation and industrial processes or heating buildings.

This increases overall energy efficiency and reduces waste heat.

Precise data on electricity generated by Biomass in the UK

In 2022, biomass power stations in the UK generated approximately 22,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity.

This represents a decrease from 2021, when biomass provided 12.9% of the UK’s electricity needs.

Despite this decrease, biomass remains a significant contributor to the UK’s renewable energy mix.

In 2022, biomass provided 6.9% of the UK’s electricity needs.

It’s important to note that these figures may vary depending on the source and methodology used for data collection.

Diverse applications of biomass

While this article primarily focuses on the role of biomass in electricity generation, it’s important to recognise its diverse applications across various sectors. Biomass can be used for:

• Heat Generation: Biomass is widely used for heating homes, businesses, and industrial processes.
• Transportation Fuels: Biomass can be converted into biofuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol, which can be used in vehicles.
• Non-Energy Sectors: Biomass can be used to produce a variety of materials and chemicals, including bioplastics, bio-based chemicals, and construction materials.

This versatility makes biomass a valuable resource for a wide range of applications, contributing to the UK’s overall sustainability goals.

Environmental impact of Biomass

While biomass is considered a renewable energy source, its environmental impact is a subject of debate.

Here’s a balanced perspective:

Deforestation and Habitat Loss:

• Con: Unsustainable biomass practices, such as clear-cutting forests, can lead to deforestation and habitat destruction. It’s crucial to ensure that biomass is sourced from sustainably managed forests or waste materials.
• Pro: Sustainable biomass production can encourage better forest management practices, such as thinning and removing excess biomass from overgrown forests. This can improve forest health, reduce wildfire risks, and enhance watershed function.

Air Pollution:

• Con: Burning biomass releases pollutants into the air, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. While these emissions are generally lower than those from fossil fuels, they can still have adverse impacts on air quality and human health.
• Pro: Open burning of forestry and agricultural biomass residues is a major source of air pollution. Biomass power stations offer a cleaner alternative by utilising controlled combustion systems with emission controls.

Carbon Emissions:

• Con: While biomass is often considered carbon neutral, the combustion process still releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The carbon neutrality assumption relies on the sustainable regrowth of biomass feedstocks, which is not always guaranteed.
• Pro: Biomass is often considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide released during combustion is offset by the carbon absorbed by plants during their growth. This contributes to a reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Other Environmental Impacts:

• Water Use: Growing energy crops for biomass can require significant amounts of water, potentially straining water resources in some regions. Sustainable water management practices are essential to minimise the impact of biomass production on water availability.
• Waste Reduction: By utilising waste materials, biomass power stations reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which can have significant environmental benefits. Landfills generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and can contribute to soil and water contamination.

Government policies and incentives

The UK government has implemented various policies and incentives to support biomass power generation:

• Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference: These schemes provide financial support to renewable energy generators, including biomass power stations. They help to make biomass power more competitive with fossil fuels and encourage investment in the sector. 
• Green Gas Support Scheme: This scheme provides incentives for anaerobic digestion biomethane facilities, which produce biogas from organic waste. Biogas can be used to generate electricity or injected into the gas grid.
• Biomass Strategy: The UK government has developed a Biomass Strategy to ensure a sustainable supply of biomass and maximise its contribution to net-zero emissions. This strategy addresses issues such as sustainable sourcing, land use, and the environmental impacts of biomass production.
• Transitional Subsidies for BECCS: The UK government is considering extending subsidies for biomass power producers that plan to develop bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) capacity. This reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the development of BECCS technology, which has the potential to achieve negative emissions.

The future of Biomass power in the UK

Biomass is expected to continue playing a significant role in the UK’s energy mix as the country strives to achieve net-zero emissions.

Research undertaken by the University of Manchester suggests the UK “has the potential to generate up to 44% of its energy from biomass sources, including household waste, agricultural residues and home-grown bio-fuels by 2050.”  

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) projects an increase in biomass demand in the coming decades, particularly for BECCS.

BECCS technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from biomass power stations and stores them underground, potentially achieving negative emissions.

However, the future of biomass power also faces challenges:

• Sustainable Sourcing: Ensuring a sustainable supply of biomass is crucial to avoid negative environmental impacts, such as deforestation and habitat loss. The UK needs to develop robust sustainability criteria and promote responsible biomass production.
• Competition from Other Renewables: Biomass power faces increasing competition from other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which are becoming increasingly cost-competitive. New 2030 clean power modelling by Ember shows that biomass generation can be reduced by half to just 2% of total electricity generation in 2030 while maintaining a stable energy system. This suggests that a low-biomass clean power system is achievable, potentially reducing the UK’s reliance on biomass imports.
• Public Perception: Concerns about the environmental impacts of biomass, such as air pollution and deforestation, can influence public perception and policy decisions.

Where does Biomass go from here?

Biomass power stations are making a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy goals by providing a reliable and sustainable source of electricity.

They play a crucial role in diversifying the energy mix, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and utilising waste materials.

While there are environmental concerns associated with biomass production, the UK government is actively working to address these issues through policies and incentives that promote sustainable sourcing and responsible management.

As the UK progresses towards its net-zero targets, biomass power faces both opportunities and challenges.

The potential for BECCS technology to achieve negative emissions positions biomass as a valuable tool in decarbonising the energy sector. However, ensuring the sustainability of biomass sourcing and production remains a critical concern.

The increasing competitiveness of other renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, also presents a challenge for biomass power.

Ultimately, achieving the UK’s net-zero goals will require a balanced approach that considers the strengths and weaknesses of different renewable energy technologies.

Biomass power, with its unique characteristics and potential for carbon capture, is likely to remain an important component of the UK’s energy strategy, but its future role will depend on overcoming sustainability challenges and competing effectively with other renewable energy options.

Looking for a career in Biomass?

At Astute, we understand the vital role biomass plays in the transition to a greener future, and we’re committed to connecting skilled professionals with the most exciting opportunities in the sector.

I’m Kelsey Nineham, Recruitment Partner at Astute specialising in Biomass Power Plants. Whether you’re an experienced professional or looking to start your career in biomass, I can help you find a role that aligns with your skills and ambitions.

Ready to explore your next opportunity?

To discuss this blog in more detail, connect with me on LinkedIn.