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<p>As part of their sustainability requirements, biomass generating stations must
report their biomass sustainability data to Ofgem, and this includes the country of
origin. This data is published annually on Ofgem’s website1. From later this year,
biomass generators will also be required to have their sustainability data independently
audited, annually.</p><p>In 2013, the Department carried out an analysis of domestic
and imported wood use by major biomass generating stations, using both the above sustainability
reporting and additional five- year forecasts that large scale generators provided
to the Department as part of a voluntary exercise2. The forecast weight of domestically
sourced wood used for biomass power generation is expected to remain stable between
2.3 and 2.5 million oven dried tonnes (modt). This analysis supports the Department’s
assessment that major generators intend to focus on international rather than domestic
sources of wood.</p><p>Furthermore, as ‘high quality’ wood, such as that suitable
for saw logs and timber production, commands a significantly higher market price than
residues, this makes high quality wood unattractive and unaffordable for use as woodfuel.
Therefore market forces, both here and abroad, should mean mixed used of wood continues.</p><p><em><strong>[1]</strong></em>
<em><a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13"
target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/biomass-sustainability-dataset-2012-13</a></em></p><p><em>2</em>
<em><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246006/UK_wood_and_biomass.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246006/UK_wood_and_biomass.pdf</a></em></p><p>
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