Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord De Mauley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 April 2011.

Energy: Biofuels

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have for stimulating the proposed production of biofuels at the plant in Billingham, formerly operated by the Biofuels Corporation.

Answer: The Government have no specific plans to support this biofuels plant. However, we are currently consulting on proposals to amend the renewable transport fuel obligation to implement the transport elements of the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which requires the UK to source 10 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources by 2020. These proposals include providing additional support for biofuels made from waste by awarding two renewable transport fuels certificates to each litre of fuel supplied. Crop-based biofuels will continue to get one certificate per litre, as long as they meet the mandatory sustainability criteria. In addition, if the plant produces biodiesel made from used cooking oil (UCO) it will benefit from the 20p lower fuel duty rate for this particular fuel which will run until April 2012.

Secondary information