72% carbon saving hurdle for biomass energy from 2020

Large biomass energy plants will have to show a 72% carbon saving compared with fossil fuels to qualify for Renewables Obligation (RO) support from 2020 onwards.

The rules aim to ensure all types of biomass power begin to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the start of the next decade.

This emission savings hurdle emerged as one of a number of RO sustainability criteria published by DECC on 22 August. These set out eligibility requirements for dedicated, co-fired and converted biomass plants and anaerobic digestion (AD) installations that generate at least one megawatt of electricity.