£66m scheme to boost UKbio-energy
£66m scheme to boost UKbio-energy
THE government has launched a £66m support scheme to boost the bio-energy industry.
The Bioenergy Capital Grants Scheme will help fund the establishment of six power stations producing electricity from straw, willow or elephant grass (miscanthus) and up to 100 smaller power and heat plants.
The £66m was earmarked by government for spending on renewable energy last year.
NFU alternative crops adviser Nick Starkey called the scheme launch a significant step in opening up alternative markets for hard-pressed farmers.
"The biomass industry has been held back by the lack of an end market for energy crops.
"If these grants encourage the establishment of biomass power stations and heat plants it could make the growing of energy crops viable especially as there is £33m-worth of grower grants available to producers for the establishment of energy cropping on set-aside land," said Mr Starkey. *