Biofuels: Timber

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero written question – answered at on 18 June 2025.

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Photo of Oliver Dowden Oliver Dowden Conservative, Hertsmere

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that wood from primary forests will not be used for the generation of energy.

Photo of Michael Shanks Michael Shanks Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have strengthened the sustainability criteria for large-scale biomass generation from the previous government to ensure wood from primary forest is not used for energy generation. Under new arrangements as part of the Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference this includes increasing the proportion of woody biomass that must come from sustainable sources from 70% to 100% and clarifying explicitly that no subsidy will be paid for electricity generated from material sourced from primary forest and old growth areas. We are also working with Ofgem and the Low Carbon Contracts Company to ensure there is robust appropriate assurance and enforcement activity to support this.

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