RENEWABLES OBLIGATION AND DRAX POWER STATION BIOMASS CO-FIRING FACILITY

That this House notes that having invested in the largest biomass co-firing facility in the world, Drax Power Station is the single largest generator of renewable electricity in the UK with an output of around 1.7TWh in 2010, some seven per cent. of all renewable power in the UK and more than twice that of the next largest generating facility; recognises that this facility is not operating at full capacity because current support levels for biomass co-firing are uneconomic; and calls on the Government to ensure that its final decisions for the new bands under the Renewables Obligation from 2013 provide generators with the economic support and confidence to increase co-firing and/or the conversion of whole units of coal-fired plant to biomass to produce sustainable, cost effective and reliable renewable electricity in support of the UK's climate change targets and security of supply.