The UK government has opened a £26m funding scheme to support deployment of sustainable biomass.
From today, developers can bid for a slice of the pie for the use of materials such as grasses, hemp and seaweed to help the UK reach net zero.
The chosen projects will drive biomass productivity through the breeding, planting, cultivating and harvesting of organic matter; from water-based materials such as algae, to whole trees through sustainable forestry operations, said Energy Department BEIS.
The funding, available through Phase 2 of the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Programme, will see projects given funding to design new ways of boosting biomass production.
Each project will be able to bid for up to £4m in funding, or up to £5m for bids from the multi-site demonstrator projects that will showcase new biomass feedstock production projects in multiple locations across the UK.
Some 25 projects located across the country, from start-ups and family-run businesses to research institutes and universities, have already received a share of £4 million under Phase 1 of the programme. Under Phase 2, the projects will be developed from the design stage into full demonstration projects, showcasing new methods to grow biomass materials, which can be used to produce low-carbon energy.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands (pictured) said: “Developing greener fuels like biomass is key to helping the UK slash carbon emissions and drive down costs for consumers.
“This £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.”