“A low-biomass clean power system for the UK is achievable” has been published by EMBER. This report considers a low-biomass 2030 clean power system, a case study built on National Energy System Operator (NESO) 2030 Clean Power data, reviewing the potential effects of reduced unabated biomass generating capacity.
New 2030 clean power modelling by Ember shows that biomass generation can be reduced by half to just 2% of total electricity generation in 2030. A low biomass system is desirable because it can lower bills, reduce UK reliance on volatile imports, and because imported biomass carries with it a risk of high emissions.
A low-biomass comparison to the 2030 Further Flex and Renewables pathway in the NESO Clean Power report has been modelled with biomass capacity reduced by 2 GW compared to the current total. The equivalent to all but one unit of large-scale biomass is modelled to come offline in this clean power analysis, with power imports making up most of the reduction, as well as a slight increase in gas use for power (14%). Although biomass is a small proportion of total generation, it can have an outsized impact on energy bills. Biomass power costs £138/MWh under a Contract for Difference (2024 prices), 80% higher than the average price of generating electricity using gas in 2024.
Access the report here
