Consultation on bioenergy.
Views are being sought on proposals for the sustainable use of
bioenergy, including growing crops which can be converted into
electricity, heat and fuels.
Bioenergy is already a key component of Scotland’s energy system
and is produced by using organic material from trees, plants and
food waste as a greener source to replace fossil fuels.
A new strategy sets out how bioenergy can be used to reduce
emissions, and proposes using some agricultural land specifically
to grow crops which can be converted into bioenergy.
Consultation on the strategy opens today and will run for 12
weeks, seeking views on the opportunities and barriers to using
biomass for fuel, as well as the possible use of land to grow the
perennial energy crops required for domestic production.
Energy Minister said:
“Bioenergy supports the Scottish Government’s commitment to reach
net zero by 2045. Research shows if 90,000 hectares of these
crops were planted, this could deliver an amount of energy
equivalent to powering around 1.3 million homes a year.
“Realising this potential can help to deliver a just transition
for our energy sector, and develop a self-sufficient and secure
supply chain to enable us to generate more of this greener
energy.
“It is vitally important that people engage on this consultation
and give us their views.”
Background
Bioenergy consultation
Bioenergy is considered carbon neutral when the CO2 released
during its life cycle is balanced by CO2 absorption from other
trees and vegetation. A sustainably managed biomass supply can
maintain this balance - or even be carbon negative where planting
exceeds the levels of extraction.
Bioenergy can be used for heat, power, industry and transport,
across a diverse range of mature and emerging technologies. When
bioenergy is paired with carbon capture and storage technologies
it has potential to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the
atmosphere while generating energy. The carbon dioxide could then
be permanently stored underground.
Perennial energy crops include short rotation coppice, short
rotation forestry and miscanthus. These fast-growing crops can be
grown on land that is currently less productive and harvested
regularly without the need to re-plant.
