Decarbonising heat campaign launched by WHA

• WHA and REA launch a new campaign outlining the sustainability of biomass used as a source of renewable heat,
• Campaign takes place as the Government is considering how it will fund renewable heat technologies under the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme,
• WHA launch video that emphasises how the biomass heat sector has grown during a period of overall forest growth in the UK,
• Biomass heat sector reduces net carbon emissions by 87.5 per cent compared to EU Fossil Heat Average.

Six months since the closure of the consultation on the future of the Renewable Heat Incentive, the Government is making its final decisions around how renewable heat technologies will be funded to 2021.

The Renewable Energy Association (REA), in association with the Wood Heat Association (WHA), has launched a new campaign that urges the government to prioritise the decarbonisation of heat and to support the continued use of sustainable, affordable, and low-carbon biomass.

One-third of the UK’s carbon emissions are from the heat sector. So far just over 4 per cent of heat is being produced from renewable sources.

Biomass, derived from discarded tree limbs and other waste wood products, has been a popular means of decarbonising heat to date under the RHI, particularly for homeowners, schools, and businesses that do not have a connection to the UK’s gas grid. To date, 56 percent of the renewable heat generated in homes under the RHI has been from biomass. It has also generated 81 per cent of the renewable heat used in for non-domestic properties.

A new video, produced by the Wood Heat Association, has been launched on social media. It outlines how the wood heat translates to emissions reduction when seen in the context of the wider forestry industry.

Frank Aaskov, Analyst at the Wood Heat Association said:

“The biomass heat sector actively contributes to the regrowth of forests and has been the most popular technology under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive programme. The Government will be making major decisions about the programme’s future in the coming weeks and we’re urging them to remember biomass as a force for good.

“We are launching a campaign and a new video designed to emphasise that wood heat in the UK is an affordable and sustainable way to decarbonise our heat sector, particularly in rural or off-gas grid properties.”

 —ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Daniel Brown
Communications and Campaigns Officer
+44 (0)20 7981 0857

Notes to editors

• The consultation The Renewable Heat Incentive: A reformed and refocused scheme closed on 27 April 2016. You can view the documents here.
• The WHA’s infographics can be viewed here (via dropbox).
• You can find the WHA’s biomass video here.
• Support the campaign by tweeting on #biomass or #biomassheat

About the Wood Heat Association (WHA)

The WHA is the UK trade association for the modern wood heating and related biomass heating industry including wood fuel suppliers, biomass boiler and stove installers and distributors, and anyone involved in the supply chain. The WHA is a fully owned subsidiary of the Renewable Energy Association. Members range in size from major multinationals to sole traders. http://www.woodheatassociation.org.uk/

About the Renewable Energy Association (REA)

The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and renewable gas. It is the largest renewable energy trade association in the UK, with approximately 700 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders. For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net