UK biofuel demand to increase in 2011, experts say

Demand for biofuels is expected to increase in 2011 from UK manufacturers and consumers, experts have predicted.

In an article for Farmers Weekly, Paul Spackman noted that interest in farm-based renewable energy has been boosted in the past year, particularly since the government’s feed-in tariff was introduced in April 2010.

As for the biofuels sector, Mr Spackman noted that this is largely driven by the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive.

Ruth Digby from the National Farmers Union told the news provider: “It’s great to have these long-term targets, but the policy rules and boundaries are far from settled and there are many issues that will continue to impact on the future of this sector throughout the year; both on farmers directly and the markets they are trying to sell to.”

According to Farmers Weekly, a local Teesside plant is set to use 1.2 million tonnes of feed wheat a year for fuel, while a Hull plant will use 1.1 million tonnes, starting production in mid-2011.