From Guest Blogger Ross James: Finding an Approved Biomass Fuel Supplier

2015 will be here before we know it, and with the new year comes new rules for the renewable energy industry: from spring 2015, all of the biomass fuel used within houses, businesses and any other organisations that are claiming RenewabIe Heat Incentive (RHI) incentive payments must meet stringent emissions targets.

They must have life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 60% savings vs. EU fossil fuel average. Certain criteria for wood fuel must also be met, the rules of which are set out in the UK Timber Standard for Heat and Electricity.

Finding a supplier

If you don’t use an approved biomass fuel supplier, you risk losing your RHI incentive payments so it’s important to do your homework. This criteria may vary according to the type of RHI you are receiving.

Fortunately, a comprehensive biomass suppliers list has been set up by the government and is accessible to all involved in the renewable energy market. Any supplier listed on the website has to meet certain sustainability criteria (although it’s not necessarily a guarantee of fuel or service quality).

Commercial RHI

You have two options under this RHI incentive:

1. You can source fuel from the approved Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) and supply a quarterly declaration to OFGEM (along with your meter reading) that the fuel has been sourced according to the rules. You also need to keep copies of all supplier and delivery details for a period of five years.
2. You may use your own choice of supplier even if they don’t appear on the BSL. However, you must be confident of their sustainability commitments and you must also submit a quarterly declaration that the fuel you’re using meets the government’s criteria. You’ll also need to submit an annual sustainability audit to prove this. It will need to be sent to OFGEM at your own cost.

Domestic RHI

For domestic RHI payments, only one option is available. Any fuel used in your RHI-registered biomass heating system will need to have been obtained from suppliers on the BSL (registered at the time of consumption). You’ll need to submit a declaration to OFGEM every year, confirming that you have sourced the wood fuel from an approved supplier. You’re advised to keep full records of your wood fuel purchases to back up your declarations.

Self supplying

Sometimes, rather than using a supplier, domestic and commercial biomass heating systems are fueled by a user’s own supplies of wood fuel. If you are working this way, you need to register yourself on the Biomass Suppliers List so that you can make the appropriate quarterly declarations. If your heat capacity is greater than 1MW, you won’t be able to register as a self-supplier.

If you are self-supplying, you don’t have to submit evidence that you’re complying with sustainability criteria but you will be required to show documentation such as forest management plans or a felling licence.

If you’re unsure about finding the right supplier, you can talk to Treco who have many years of experience in working with biomass boilers. They have access to detailed information on a wealth of suppliers and they can help you to make an informed decision.