BEIS Biomass Feedstock Innovation Programme SBRI

Biomass utilisation will play a key role in helping to decarbonise the UK economy. The Climate Change Committee recently stated in their Sixth Carbon Budget Advice that "sustainable bioenergy is essential for reaching net zero." A wide range of other analysis supports this conclusion.

In order to meet anticipated future demand, it is expected that a substantial contribution will be required from domestic biomass feedstock sources, particularly as competition in international markets is likely to grow.

There are currently a range of barriers to scaling up domestic feedstock supply. BEIS intends to launch a biomass feedstock innovation programme to help address some of these barriers, with a scope encompassing second generation energy crops and forestry.
This competition is planned to take place in two phases:

• Feasibility Stage - funding for suppliers to develop detailed proposals for an innovation project
• Demonstration Stage - funding for suppliers to develop their innovations

At this stage we are launching the Feasibility Stage only, and in support of this will be holding a supplier day in January (see below).