The European Parliament has endorsed proposals to limit the amount of crop-based biofuels used in transport to 7%, down from the current 10% by 2020 target.
The use of agricultural land to produce biofuel has become a controversial topic, with many green campaigners criticising the carbon impact of crop-based biofuels as well as the reduction in available agricultural land for other crops.
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) said that it hopes the latest deal will help bring an end to the five-year debate which has continued to disrupt the development of biofuels. Dr Nina Skorupska, CEO of the REA explained: “If we are, indeed, at the end of this very long road, it is crucial that the next government implement the final agreement as speedily as possible. Many biofuels companies in the UK have simply given up and those brave investors left have been suffering badly.”
The proposals also include a non-binding target of 0.5% use for advanced biofuels which Skorupska believes will play an important role in the decarbonisation of transport. She said: “Advanced fuels can play a key role in meeting the EU’s carbon reduction targets through reducing ever rising carbon emissions in the transport sector. But if it is to make an impact, it is now time to give biofuels businesses the support they need and ensure that the next generation of investors have the confidence that the policy will not be overturned once again.”
The agreement is expected to be rubber stamped by the European Parliament’s Plenary at the end of April and then endorsed by the Council of Ministers in June.
Government’s Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition
In related news, the government has shortlisted six consortia of non-food waste biofuel companies to receive funding. The move reflects the European government’s push for less crop-based biofuel production. One of the shortlisted consortia, which boasts National Grid, Advanced Plasma Power, Progressive Energy and CNG Services amongst its members, believes that it can produce more than one million kilograms of compressed biomethane from residual waste biomass.
The Department for Transport is hoping to support the construction of up to three demonstration biofuel plants with the £25 million of funding available under the Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Competition.
David Parkin Head of Network Strategy in National Grid’s Gas Distribution business said that advanced biofuels provide “a great opportunity to provide a practical low carbon solution that will add real value to customers”. He continued: “BioSNG can be injected into the UK’s existing gas distribution infrastructure and that means it presents a low carbon solution without any disruption to end users. It’s definitely a game-changer for the future of energy.”
