Biomass supplier Rural Energy is calling on the government to offer policy certainty to the biomass industry and has enlisted the support of Nicky Morgan, the MP for Loughborough, to raise awareness of the cause.
Nicky was invited to visit Rural Energy’s new purpose built training facility in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where the company spoke to her about the need for continued government support for the growing industry – which employs more than 100,000 people in the UK.
In particular, an extension of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to 2020 (currently due to come to an end in 2016) is being sought by businesses throughout the industry.
Paul Clark, managing director of Rural Energy, commented: “The RHI has been great news for the wider carbon reduction agenda and also for biomass suppliers like ourselves. The government has strict targets to treble its renewable heat capacity by 2020 and biomass is predicted to contribute 60 per cent of this. To achieve this goal, the wood-heating sector will need to grow by 75 per cent each year – which is perfectly achievable but requires solid political support and a steadfast commitment to policy.
“Extending the RHI beyond its current time period would be the best way of offering the biomass and renewable heating industries the security we need to deliver this target. Getting help from politicians like Ms Morgan will be key to securing on-going support from government, as well as safeguarding the many job opportunities offered by this growing sector.”
Nicky Morgan MP commented: “Supporting employment, business growth and economic development, both within my constituency and in the wider Leicestershire area, are key priorities for me so it was really interesting to see how much impact the growth of the renewables industry has had on local businesses and communities. I will ensure these concerns are given proper representation on a national level in parliament.”
www.ruralenergy.co.uk
Nicky Morgan MP, pictured on her fact finding visit to Rural Energy’s training centre in Melton Mowbray.