The UK Conservative Party has reversed its position on Drax's proposal to equip its Selby biomass power station with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (Beccs) technology. According to a report from The Times, Claire Coutinho, the shadow net zero secretary, expressed concerns that the case for the project had weakened upon further scrutiny.
“We cannot go green by burning trees at huge cost to the public,” Coutinho stated, questioning the environmental benefits of biomass. “If the widespread burning of forests is part of the solution to climate change, then we have to ask ourselves what problem we are trying to solve.”
Phil MacDonald, managing director of Ember, welcomed Coutinho's remarks, suggesting they could spell the end of the project. He noted that the scheme, already complex and long-term, wouldn't even commence during the current parliament and highlighted the lack of support from a potential future government.
However, Mark Sommerfeld, deputy director of policy at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), argued that Coutinho's views contradict scientific guidance on decarbonisation. He cited the importance of Beccs in meeting the UK's net-zero goals, as recognised by the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Sommerfeld emphasized the potential for biomass and Beccs to play a key role in carbon removal and achieving the UK's decarbonisation targets, with the CCC's 2023 Biomass Strategy underlining the “critical importance” of Beccs. He added that government investment is necessary to realise these goals and support job creation and climate mitigation efforts.
Coutinho's comments reflect an ongoing debate over the role of biomass in the UK's energy mix, as the country grapples with balancing renewable energy investment with sustainability concerns.
