and water in the

This is the second report in a new series of three unique studies covering the emerging UK microgeneration industry. Other reports cover Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Products and Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps.

Biomass is material of biological origin and can be either plant or animal matter, although in the context of burning biomass to provide energy for heat and electricity it is likely to be plant matter, such as wood from forestry or processing which is the main feedstock.

A key attraction of using biomass is that it is close to being carbon neutral in terms of the amount of carbon absorbed during its growth is similar to that which is emitted when it is burnt.

As with many of the renewable technologies, estimating the size of the UK market is difficult since there are no official or reliable statistics quantifying either the number of installations to date or the annual sales of biomass boilers / installations into both the domestic and non domestic sectors. Industry sources indicate that in 2009 there were annual sales of between 1,100 – 1,300 residential, commercial and industrial applications.

General industry sources indicate that biomass boilers are beginning a growth phase and there is considerable political drive to include biomass boilers as an integral part of the renewable solution to achieve lower carbon emissions and efficient energy usage.

The residential sector accounts for over 60% of the market by value – and higher by volume – and offers the greatest area for potential market growth in biomass boilers. New build housing particularly in ‘off gas’ areas represents a large potential market but there will also be a large market to be developed in retrofit for existing housing in those areas. Self build is also a key sector where homeowners are more receptive to innovative, higher specification, energy-efficient and environmental products.

On a consistent growth rate basis, our forecasts indicate the number of biomass boiler installations would rise to an estimated 240,000+installations by 2019-20. This is below the figures in all scenarios contained in the latest forecasts suggested by the DECC report which range from 30,000 – 70,000 systems installed per annum rising to 450,000+ installations by 2019-20 in the central scenario.