Abstract
As one of renewable energy sources, biomass is playing a major role in reducing the greenhouse gas emission in the UK. The country currently produces about 4.5% (18.1TWh in 2006) of the total electricity generation from renewables, where biomass-based sources accounts for 50% of the amount and the remainder mostly from hydro and windpower. In 2007, the UK government has announced its new energy policy through the Energy White Paper, which includes an ambitious national target of 60% cuts in carbon emission by 2050. Complementary strategic plans in key renewable energy technologies accompanied the Energy White Paper, including biomass strategy, waste strategy and low carbon transportation strategy. This paper summarizes the current status and policy of UK for renewable energy production with focus on the use of biomass and bioenergy.
