Three British companies have today been given a boost of £1.34million to test cutting edge designs in bioenergy.

The winning companies - AB systems, AMW IBERS and Natural Synergies - were selected from an initial list of seven to go through from the project design stage to the testing phase of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC's) £2million wetlands biomass to bioenergy competition. The funding will help these companies drive forward innovation in bioenergy production from wetland biomass, including harvesting and energy generation methods.

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As set out in the Government's 2012 bioenergy strategy, sustainably sourced bioenergy has an important part to play in the UK’s future energy mix, with the potential to contribute around 11 per cent of the UK’s total primary energy demand by 2020. More innovation and investment is needed to help cut costs in this sector.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: "The Coalition Government is committed to innovation, to sustainability and to bioenergy. That is why I'm delighted to announce this investment, worth over £1.3million over a number of years.

"With this funding, the three British companies AB Systems, AMW IBERS and Natural Synergies will be able to test their unique solutions for harvesting wetland plants for clean green power.

"I wish them every success with their projects."

(CD/MH)