HC Deb 14 July 2003 vol 409 cc20-1W
Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the biomass fuel burnt under subsidy as an energy resource in the last 12 months came from(a) new sources of material, (b) material that would otherwise go to waste and (c) raw materials that can serve a useful purpose in industry; what the expected figures are for (i) 2005 and (ii) 2010; and if she will make a statement. [125164]

Mr. Timms

In 2002 the following amounts of biomass fuel were used in the UK. Biomass used for electricity generation may be eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation or the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation and Climate Change Levy exemption.

Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent
Electricity generation Heating purposes1
Wood waste — 266
Wood — 204
Poultry litter, meat and bone, straw, farm waste and short rotation coppice 283 72
Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent
Electricity generation Heating purposes1
Municipal solid waste, general industrial waste and hospital waste 672 91
1 No payments are made under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, the Renewables Obligation or the Renewables (Scotland) Obligation for the burning of biomass fuels for the provision of heat.

Source:

Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.

A more detailed breakdown is not available because it would disclose data for individual companies that are given to the Department in confidence. Only short rotation coppice is classed as "new sources of material". Information on the amount of wood and wood waste that could be used by industry as a raw material is not centrally available, but the Forestry Commission is currently undertaking a Woodfuel Resource Study. Estimates for 2005 and 2010 are not available.

Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 5 June 2003,Official Report, column 298, on renewable energy, if she will to meet the Director of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact on the industry of subsidised biomass fuel. [125280]

Mr. Timms

As the Minister for Energy I am in discussion with the Chairman of the Trade and Industry Select Committee about a meeting with a deputation of MPs and representatives of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact of the Government's renewable energy policy on UK wood-based panel manufacturing.