BEIS Biomass Feedstock Innovation Programme SBRI

Biomass utilisation will play a key role in helping to decarbonise the UK economy. The Climate Change Committee recently stated in their Sixth Carbon Budget Advice that "sustainable bioenergy is essential for reaching net zero." A wide range of other analysis supports this conclusion.

In order to meet anticipated future demand, it is expected that a substantial contribution will be required from domestic biomass feedstock sources, particularly as competition in international markets is likely to grow.

There are currently a range of barriers to scaling up domestic feedstock supply. BEIS intends to launch a biomass feedstock innovation programme to help address some of these barriers, with a scope encompassing second generation energy crops and forestry.

This competition is planned to take place in two phases:

• Feasibility Stage - funding for suppliers to develop detailed proposals for an innovation project

• Demonstration Stage - funding for suppliers to develop their innovations

At this stage we are launching the Feasibility Stage only, and in support of this will be holding a supplier day in January (see below).

Additional information: The supplier day will be held on the 28th of January. The purpose of this event will be:

• For BEIS to provide context on the proposed innovation competition and brief potential suppliers as to the proposed scope, timelines and other practicalities.

• For potential suppliers to ask questions of BEIS about the proposed competition, provide BEIS with feedback on whether or not the competition, as designed, is suitable for them, and suggest changes which might be made to competition design to maximise benefits arising from it.

This will present an opportunity to potential suppliers to help inform the Feasibility Stage Invitation to Tender, which we anticipate being released in Quarter 1 of 2021.

To register for the event, or for any general queries, please use the email address provided below.