Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to ensure that the Green Investment Bank does not provide support to (a) the proposed Helius Bioenergy Plant at Avonmouth and (b) other biofuel projects.

I have spoken to the Chief Executive of the Green Investment Bank (GIB) about the proposed plant at Avonmouth to ensure he is aware of the concerns that have been raised about it. The impacts of individual proposals for biomass power projects are subject to detailed assessment during the planning approval process and final decisions in each case are a matter for the relevant planning authority. This proposal received planning consent in March 2010. The final consent letter may be found on the DECC Energy Infrastructure webpage at https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/projects/Avonmouth.htm. I cannot comment on the merits of that decision.

The Government's position on the role of biomass power within the UK's energy mix has been set out clearly in the UK Bioenergy Strategy (2012) which can be found on the Government's website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-bioenergy-strategy. Thissets out how the Government seeks to ensure the benefits of bioenergy are achieved in a way that delivers genuine carbon reductions and that fuel is sourced sustainably. The extensive sustainability requirements in place for the use of biomass fuel are set out in the UK Government Response to the consultation on biomass sustainability and the Renewables Obligation (RO), published in August 2013 (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/231102/RO_Biomass_Sustainability_consultation_-_Government_Response_22_August_2013.pdf). In considering whether to participate in financing a biomass power project, GIB must satisfy itself that the Government's sustainability requirements are fully met.