Drax Welcomes Deal Reached by EU Institutions in Support of Sustainably Sourced Biomass

Global renewable energy leader, Drax Group, has welcomed a positive conclusion of the European Union’s discussions on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII).

• A provisional agreement has been reached by the European Parliament and the Council in the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII)
• Agreement shows continued support for sustainable biomass recognising its critical role in energy systems and forest management
• Directive will continue to class sustainably sourced woody biomass as a 100% renewable energy source in the EU

Global renewable energy leader, Drax Group, has welcomed a positive conclusion of the European Union’s discussions on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII).

The agreement reached by the EU Institutions this week recognises the importance of sustainably sourced biomass within the region, providing renewable, reliable power while displacing fossil fuels and supporting good forest management.

Counterproductive and arbitrary proposals presented during the legislative process, such as a cap on the use of “primary woody biomass”, have been rejected. These would have had serious consequences for EU’s energy security and forest health.

The agreement demonstrates the EU’s continued support for sustainable biomass and will strengthen sustainability standards to reflect good forest management practices and align with the cascading principle to ensure that wood is utilised to its highest economic and environmental added value.

Importantly, the updated Directive reaffirms sustainably sourced biomass as a 100 percent renewable energy source, as well as includes provisions to ensure that biomass goes to the highest value application, including Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), a vital carbon removal technology in which Drax plans to become a global leader.

Drax CEO, Will Gardiner said,
“Biomass has a critical role to play in supporting energy security as the world decarbonizes, providing reliable, renewable power and displacing fossil fuels. We are pleased to see the European Union recognize the importance of biomass within the region and take steps to further strengthen its sustainability and forestry standards.”

“As a global leader in sustainable biomass, we are committed to ensuring that the biomass we source has a positive impact on climate, nature and the communities in which we operate and hope this decision will ensure biomass continues to play a central role in Europe’s energy transition.”

Biomass, when sustainably sourced, uses sawmill residuals like sawdust, harvest residuals including tops, branches and bark as well as low-grade roundwood. The market for this fibre helps improve the health and productivity of forests while providing rural counties with a new income stream.

As the only reliable renewable, biomass plays an important role in the UK’s energy security providing 11 percent of the UK’s renewable power – enough for five million households.

The final text of the agreement has yet to be published, and Drax looks forward to sharing further information with its stakeholders in due course.