Date: 11-Dec-08
Country: UK
Author: Nina Chestney
Britain Pledges Millions For Biomass Heating Photo: Agnieszka Flak
A crane works at the Hill and Moor Landfill site in Pershore, west of England October 7, 2006.
LONDON - The British government has pledged around 12 million pounds ($17.74 million) to help cover the costs of buying and installing biomass-fueled heating, it said on Wednesday.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said the funding is available through grants of up to 500,000 pounds. The grants can cover up to 40 percent of the difference in cost between a biomass boiler and one which is powered by fossil fuels such as coal and gas.
Commercial and industrial businesses, as well as schools, hospitals, local authorities, charities and housing associations are all eligible to apply for the grants.
The DECC said it has already allocated 55 million pounds to help set up biomass power stations, heating systems and combined heat and power plants through its so-called bio-energy grants scheme.
Biomass boilers can be connected to central heating and hot water systems to heat large spaces and cost from 5,000 to 14,000 pounds, according to the Department for Business and Regulatory Reform's website.
Biomass heaters, which are used to heat smaller spaces, can cost from 2,000 pounds to 4,000 to install, depending on their type and size.
Britain aims to get 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, but the strategy has been criticized recently for leading to higher energy bills for consumers and businesses.
(Editing by Sue Thomas)
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