UK biomass innovation projects invited to bid for GBP 26m of further support

The UK government on Monday said it is accepting bids for GBP 26 million (USD 34.6m/EUR 30.5m) to be awarded under phase two of its Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, aimed at boosting production of sustainable biomass feedstocks such as grasses, hemp and seaweed.

Phase one of the programme supported 25 biomass production innovation projects across the country with a total of GBP 4 million. These projects include, for instance, farming seaweed off the North Yorkshire coast, using wastewater from breweries and dairy industries to produce algae, and accelerating willow breeding. They can now bid for up to GBP 4 million or GBP 5 million per project under phase two of the programme to move from the design stage to full demonstration.

The Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme is part of the government’s GBP-1-billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio which is designed to speed up the commercialisation of clean energy technologies and processes.

“This GBP 26 million government investment will support innovators across the UK, boosting jobs and investment, and help ensure we have the homegrown supply we need to support our plans to build back greener and tackle climate change,” said Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.330/EUR 1.174)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!