But a decision to continue subsidies would spark a Tory row as a report by the Conservative Environment Network urges ministers not to renew them unless industry can show the technology is sustainable and good value for taxpayers. While generation is only meant to use waste wood, the report cites a BBC investigation that found some used by Drax came from cutting down primary forests in Canada.
“Key questions remain unanswered about the environmental impact of bioenergy generators and their financial sustainability,” the report says, urging the government to “develop and enforce more stringent sustainability standards”.