The Renewable Energy Association (REA), which represent organisations including power generators, project developers, fuel and power suppliers, equipment producers and service providers, wants more government backing for biomass.

Biomass, while having many environmental benefits over fossil fuels, is still considered controversial.

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, are still unsure of backing biomass for energy generation as the sustainability of it is determined by the source of the fuel.

The campaign has launched a website, which you can view here, stating ‘sustainable biomass offers a proven, practical, secure source of low carbon energy as part of a balanced energy mix’.

According to REA the aim of the campaign is to send a clear message to Government that it ‘must not let the opportunity to reap the benefits’ of biomass.

REA also hail biomass as a ‘flexible and affordable technology’ and say the Government mustn’t let the opportunity ‘slip away’ as they fix the details and levels of future support.

REA chief executive of the, Gaynor Hartnell, said: “It is highly significant that the government has just increased its ambition for power generation from biomass.

“There are a number of large projects in development that would produce very cost-effective renewable electricity and can deliver steady baseload power.

“Provided support levels are maintained in the forthcoming banding review, Government can look forward to these plants making their contribution towards meeting the UK’s targets.”

Currently, the government has committed to making decisions on the Renewables Obligation (RO) by the end of 2011, to set support levels applicable to renewable electricity generation and combined heat and power from 2013 to 2017.

Luke Walsh

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