That’s according to the country’s Renewable Energy Association (REA), which claims the output matches that of 4 Sizewell B Nuclear power stations.Furthermore, the trade body believes that the biomass used equates to the level of emissions reduction achievable by taking 1.3 million cars of UK roads.

The REA is asking UK ministers to complete policy and regulations surrounding biomass, and renew long-term plans for the sector, whilst also supporting biomass projects. It expects that the sector will offset £21 billion in fossil fuels, and support approximately 46,000 jobs.

According to the trade body, biomass energy provides 96% of the UK’s non-domestic renewable heating, and 7.4% of the country’s total energy. It is also important to note that the bioenergy sector, unlike the wind and solar sector, provides stability to the electricity grids.

REA CEO Dr Nina Skorupska said: “Whilst wind and solar rightly get huge credit for their achievements, bioenergy is the little-known leader in British renewables. It offers diverse sources of energy that fuel British transport, heat and electricity – as well as boosting British industry.

There is strong public support for producing bioenergy in the UK from both biomass and waste, with 80% of respondents in favour of bioenergy playing a bigger part in the UK energy mix. Levels of support for bioenergy compare favourably with levels of support seen for other renewable energy technologies.

Respondents associate bioenergy with a wide range of positive features, particularly the fact that bioenergy can be generated from waste materials. It is also seen as a renewable source of energy that can reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels.