• REA warmly welcomes inclusion of biomass in Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme’s 2^nd phase
• REA says that their concerns around the lack of focus on heat decarbonisation within the Scheme have been addressed
• Adds that industry will continue to implement strong air quality, planning and sustainability standards

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) has warmly welcomed the announcement that the Government will include biomass in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme’s second phase.

The REA had been disappointed that biomass was not included in Phase 1 and had been pressing BEIS Ministers for a change in future phases. There were also concerns that Phase 1 was not sufficiently focused on heat decarbonisation. The REA say that they are greatly encouraged that both of their concerns have been addressed, and that Phase 2 will take a ‘whole building’ approach.

The second phase – which will have £75 million of grant funding – will open to applications on 7th April 2021 and will close when sufficient high-quality applications have been submitted.

Frank Gordon, Director of Policy at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:

“The REA warmly welcomes the change to include biomass in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme’s second phase. Large public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, require high heat loads and are exactly the kind of decarbonisation projects that Biomass heat is particularly well suited to.

“It’s no secret that we were very disappointed that it wasn’t included in Phase 1 and we felt that the Scheme wasn’t sufficiently focused on heat decarbonisation. However, the ‘whole building’ approach is an important step forward.

“The biomass heat industry is also committed to continuing to implement robust air quality, planning and sustainability standards, and are positive about the impact of additional grant funding will have on the biomass sector. This will also help ensure the sector can play its part in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, also recently published by Government.”

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