Europe collaboration set to boost bioenergy investment

Several European countries will commit millions of euros to develop bioenergy projects throughout the continent over the next three years.

A total of €47 million (£39.3 million) will be used from private investment into technology and projects under the umbrella of an ERANET Plus activity called Bioenergy Sustaining the Future (BESTF). The participants are Denmark, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Interested parties will be able to submit project proposals from now, with grants expected to be made at the start of 2014. Heating, transport and electricity schemes are all eligible but must have participation from at least two of the contributing countries, with no single one contributing over 70% of activity.

All proposals must also demonstrate a route to commercialisation and must have financial support of at least 51% of the total project costs from the commercial sector.

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change has agreed to support the initiative to the tune of €7.4 million.

The deadline for submitting stage one proposals is 27 March.