DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
AND CLIMATE CHANGE News Release issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 10 December 2008
Moving to
low-carbon heat sources is crucial in the battle against climate
change with nearly half of the UK's emissions coming from heating.
Today more government money becomes available for industry,
businesses and community organisations to help towards the cost of
buying and installing biomass-fuelled heating and combined heat
& power projects, including anaerobic digesters, in England.
Around £12 million in funding is available in the latest round of
the Bio-energy Capital Grants scheme. Grants of up to £500,000 are
on offer to pay for up to 40% of the difference in cost between a
biomass boiler and its fossil fuel alternative.
Launching Round 5 of the Bio-energy Capital Grants Scheme,
Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation Minister, Lord Hunt
of Kings Heath said: "Nearly half of the UK's carbon
emissions come from heating, so it's essential to change how
we heat businesses, hospitals, schools and community buildings.
The Government's Bio-energy Capital Grant Scheme makes
installing boilers run on biomass much more affordable.
"By using biomass fuel to generate their own energy instead
of coal, oil or gas, organisations can reduce their carbon impact
and take an active role in the fight against climate change.
"We've also recently introduced new legislation which
will mean people who do generate their own heat or electricity
will be financially rewarded for doing so."
So far, through previous rounds of the Bio-energy Capital Grant
Scheme, £55 million has been allocated to help set up biomass
power stations, biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plants and
biomass heating systems.
For example, the Marsden Farms project in Gloucestershire
received a grant payment of £87,890 to replace eight fossil fuel
boilers with two biomass versions to heat rural office units and
accommodation. The project has already seen a 23% reduction in
heating bills and estimates saving 205 tonnes of CO2.
Also today, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has
proposed changes to Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
In order to ensure its continued success and to allow
organisations such as schools, hospitals, charities and local
authorities in the UK to carry on receiving funding for solar
photovoltaic projects, a reallocation of £7m of LCBP2 funds has
been proposed.
Since changes to and promotion of Phase 2 of the LCBP in April,
there has been a substantial increase in the allocation of grants
across technologies, with particularly high demand for solar PV
technologies, which generate electricity using the energy of the
sun. Phase 2 Low Carbon Buildings Programme has already allocated
£21 million since it was set up in 2006.
Notes to Editors
1. Applications to the Bio-energy Capital Grant Scheme are
welcome from industrial, commercial and community sectors in
England. This includes public and private limited companies, from
pubs, clubs, shops or farms, to offices, supermarkets and stately
homes right through to large businesses like breweries or
airports. Community organisations like schools, colleges,
universities, hospitals, local authorities, housing associations
and charities can also apply. The scheme is open to new
applications until at least 30 April 2009. Applications will be
assessed on a rolling basis, as and when they are received. Full
details, including the guidance notes and application form, are
available at: http://www.bioenergycapitalgrants.org.uk/
2. Applications to Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme
are welcome from charities and public sector organisations like
schools and hospitals. The scheme is open to new applications
until June 2009.
3. The Low Carbon Buildings Programme was set up in 2006 to
demonstrate how energy efficiency and small scale energy
generation can work hand in hand to create low carbon buildings.
Householders can also apply under Phase 1 of the scheme for grants
of up to £2,500.