Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether biomass subsidies are compatible with the recommendations of the Independent Review of the UK's Greenhouse Gas Removal Strategy.

The Independent Review considered the long-term potential for greenhouse gas removals and recommended that the UK adopt a strategic aim to minimise the use of imported biomass. The sourcing of biomass is a commercial decision for generators. However, under the terms of the new short-term Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference with Drax, large-scale biomass will play a much more limited role in the power system, operating less than half as often as it currently does. This will result in a reduction in the UK’s reliance on imported biomass feedstock going forward.