Relevant to members involved in Biogas, Biomass Heat, Biofuels, Biomass Power and Energy from Waste

Following member feedback last year, we are trialling a possible new format to the REA Bioenergy Members Forum meetings – focusing on specific themes and enabling more discussion, networking and opportunities to feed into the REA policy work.

The first of these will comprise sessions on heat and the bioeconomy. These are of particular relevance to bioenergy policy development this year with the heat road map to be published in the summer and the Government focus on growing the economic benefits of the renewable sector. Members are welcome to join in order to feed into these discussions from the point of view of a variety of different bioenergy technologies.

The REA policy leads shall continue to provide sector-specific updates, meetings, webinars and briefings as normal.

Theme 1: Bioenergy’s Role in Heat 10.00 – 13.00

Heat decarbonisation is expected to be a major theme in 2020, with Government currently working on their Heat Decarbonisation Road Map due to be published in the summer. There is also expected to be a number of consultations coming up in reference to the formal closing of the RHI to new applicants in 2021,  proposals for what will replace the scheme and ongoing discussions around how building regulations can deliver a future home’s standard. It remains important that the role of bioenergy is recognised within these plans and are continued to be supported.

The REA has members involved in a number of bioenergy technologies looking at heat including biomass heat, biogas, biofuels and energy from waste. The session will start with context setting, providing an update on developments in heat policy, exploring some of the Governments focus areas and then move onto a number of short presentations that set out the potential for different technologies to contribute to heat decarbonisation.  This will be followed by a workshop discussion on the REA’s approach to heat policy in 2020, ensuring that all bioenergy technologies remain supported.

Theme 2: Bioenergy and the Bioeconomy: Opportunities for the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors

Following the REA’s Bioenergy strategy last year, which focused on the importance of the technology, we now wish to develop further the messaging around bioenergy to ensure Government understand the economic and environmental case for why supporting bioenergy is good for the agriculture and forestry sector.

This workstream builds on the Committee on Climate Change’s recent land-use report which made clear that domestic growth of bioenergy feedstocks is both desirable and necessary for reducing emissions from the land. The REA is looking to develop a report, outlying the value that bioenergy provides to the UK Bioeconomy. This session sets out an initial round table discussion in order to inform the structure and focus of the report.

AGENDA

Please note that registration will close at 4pm, Monday 17th February. For security reasons we may not be able to permit late registrants to attend