Accredited power stations may use wood biomass as an eligible renewable energy source if it meets prescribed requirements for either wood waste or energy crops.
Accredited power stations may create large-scale generation certificates (LGC) for electricity generated from these eligible renewable energy sources once the Clean Energy Regulator has approved their use as an accredited power station.
Power station operators are required to obtain information, maintain records, and report on the source and supply of wood biomass to the power station to ensure it complies with relevant requirements of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
The Clean Energy Regulator has assessment sheets to assist nominated persons to apply requirements relevant to wood waste and energy crops prescribed by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 (the Regulations). These assessment sheets can be used to demonstrate the eligibility of wood biomass in support of an application for power station accreditation and claims for LGCs.
Wood waste
Wood waste is eligible as a renewable energy source if it meets requirements prescribed under Regulation 8 of the Regulations.
The assessment sheet covers the 4 categories of wood waste:
- non-native environmental weeds harvested for control or eradication
- manufactured wood product or by-product from a manufacturing process
- waste products from the construction of buildings or furniture
- sawmill residue.
Wood waste eligibility assessment sheet
Transitional arrangements for biomass from native forest
Biomass from native forest was removed from the definition of wood waste by an amendment to the Regulations in December 2022.
Power stations that meet the transitional requirements set out in Regulation 56 may continue to create LGCs using biomass from native forests as set out in the previous regulations. The wood waste assessment sheet allows for this.
The remaining categories under the definition of wood waste have not been affected by the amendment.
Energy crops
Biomass from plantations is eligible as a renewable energy source, if it meets requirements prescribed under Regulation 9 of the Regulations.
Energy crop eligibility assessment sheet
About these assessment sheets
These assessment sheets must be completed and uploaded in the REC Registry in support of any LGC claim made in respect of wood waste or energy crops.
Assessment sheets have generic application across the country. If an assessment sheet does not cover your particular circumstances, contact us for help.
Nominated persons must maintain records relevant to the generation of electricity from eligible renewable energy sources for a period of five years.
Relevant information
Suppliers of wood biomass to accredited Power Stations
Suppliers of wood waste and energy crops are not required to register in the scheme but should provide the power station operator with specified information or documents upon request.
Land clearing
Regulation 15A of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 prescribes that electricity generated by using an eligible renewable energy source that is not ecologically sustainable is not eligible for LGCs.