Your browser is out of date, please upgrade it.

Page last updated on 7th July 2025

A wood-burning stove, with a lit fire and chunks of wood sitting in front of it.

Biomass energy: definition, pros, cons and energy savings

As Great Britain works to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, biomass energy is one example of a renewable and sustainable source. It can be used to heat individual homes, or at a larger scale to produce energy for the grid. But what is the definition of biomass energy? And how does biomass energy work as a renewable energy source?

Learn more

Get a smart meter

What's on this page?

This guide will provide a biomass energy definition and explain biomass advantages and disadvantages. We’ll also explore whether biomass energy could help you save energy and protect the environment in your household.

The definition of biomass energy
How does biomass energy work?
Biomass energy pros and cons
How does biomass energy work with smart meters?

Biomass energy meaning

Biomass power’s definition refers to the use of organic materials as fuel to produce energy. This means that biomass energy be produced using materials such as:

Plants
Trees
Animal waste, such as manure
Household waste, such as food and sewage

Biomass energy can be considered a renewable source of energy, like solar or wind energy, when it is produced sustainably. This means that the organic material used (such as wood) must be replaced by new growth. When managed in this way, biomass can provide energy to heat and power homes without depleting natural resources or contributing significantly to carbon emissions.

The definition of biomass energy includes energy production at an individual household level. For example, heating a home using a wood-burning stove is an example of biomass energy. It also includes large-scale energy production, for example, biomass farms. Biomass energy produced at this scale can be fed into the grid and used to power mains electricity.

An open book on a table, with a wood-burning stove in the background.

How does biomass energy work?

Biomass energy is generated using organic materials, such as wood, food waste or plants, to produce heat or electricity. This can be done in a few different ways, like burning wood to create heat, or using organic waste to produce gas that can be turned into energy.

While the methods of producing biomass energy vary, the key idea is that energy is released from organic materials that would otherwise go to waste. Like energy sources, such as hydropower, biomass energy has several uses including:

Electricity for individual homes through biomass boilers and stoves.
Electricity for the grid.
Fuel for vehicles.
Heating water used for bathing or cooking.

Biomass energy: pros and cons

As an energy source, biomass energy has advantages and disadvantages. We’ve compiled a list of them below:

Advantages of using biomass energy:

Renewable, when managed sustainably

When thinking about biomass energy’s pros and cons, the fact that it can be renewable is one of the pros. But biomass energy is only renewable if the source of biomass is replaced.

For example, for biomass that uses wood from trees, this is only a renewable source if the trees are replaced. This makes it different from renewable energy sources, like tidal, where the source of energy does not need to be replaced. As long as the resources are replaced, biomass energy can be thought of as a renewable source of energy.

Carbon neutral

When sourced and used responsibly, biomass energy can be a lower carbon option than some other energy sources, like fossil fuels.

For example, according to the Energy Saving Trust, who are an impartial and trusted organisation for energy efficiency, switching from a home coal fired heating system to a domestic biomass boiler could save up to 11 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Recycling and waste reduction

Organic materials such as food waste are often used during biomass production, meaning that waste is minimised. Instead of going to landfill, these materials are used and converted into valuable energy, that can be used to heat and power homes.

Are there any disadvantages to biomass energy?

Not completely free of emissions

While biomass energy is a lower carbon energy source, it can release some pollutants when burned. Burning biomass can affect local air quality if these pollutants are not properly captured and recycled.

Sustainable production

Biomass fuel is only sustainable if it comes from a sustainable source. There could be negative impact on the environment if biomass energy is not produced sustainably. For example, if trees are used without replanting, or if biomass fuel is transported over long distances. Biomass must be sourced responsibly for it to be sustainable.

Energy density

Biomass has a lower energy density compared to fossil fuels. This means that more biomass fuel is needed to produce the same amount of energy you would get from gas, oil, and coal.

Cost for individual homes

For home heating systems, such as a home biomass boiler, biomass energy is one of the more expensive options. Depending on the type of biomass, it can have significant upfront and ongoing costs.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a UK government initiative that provides grants for home biomass boilers in England and Wales. Biomass boilers are only eligible in properties that are based in a rural location and are not connected to the gas grid.

Similarly, the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan also offer grants for biomass boilers. You will have to provide evidence that other zero-emission heating systems, such as heat pumps, aren’t suitable for your property.

Please visit the websites linked above for further information about eligibility.

A smart meter in-home display on a shelf in a kitchen.

How does biomass energy work with smart meters?

Smart meters measure usage of mains electricity and gas. A standard smart meter can't measure biomass energy used to power individual homes. But, if you use mains gas or electricity, smart meters can help you keep track of your energy use.

Data from smart meters can also help the energy grid to balance supply and demand. This could help Great Britain to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and make better use of renewable energy sources. This could include biomass energy produced at a large scale, for example by biomass energy farms.

Smart meters support Great Britain’s transition to a more balanced energy system. A more balanced energy system can allow for more efficient use of renewable energy sources, like biomass energy.

If you're interested in different sources of renewable energy, take a look at our guides below.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Affect Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Yu Energy are responsible for Ampower UK customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Yu Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Angelic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Atlantic Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Avid Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Avro Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Beam Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Better Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that OVO Energy are responsible for Boost Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Breeze customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Brilliant Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Bristol Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for British Gas Evolve customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for Bulb customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE are responsible for Cardiff Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for CitizEn Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy are responsible for Colorado Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Daisy Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Eon have informed us that Eon Next are responsible for smart meter installations, so you'll be redirected there.

We are redirecting you to the E.ON Next smart meter webpage. You can continue your smart meter journey at their website. They will take your request forward.

If you are a prepay customer you will need to visit Boost Energy at www.boostpower.co.uk/smart-meters. They will be responsible for taking you request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Engie customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Enstroga customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that So Energy is now responsible for ESB customers. Therefore we are connecting you with So Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita is now responsible for Eversmart customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Extra Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy Retail is now responsible for First Utility customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy Retail who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Fosse Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

We believe that Green Star Energy is now responsible for Future Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Green Star Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Gen4U customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that Bulb Energy is now responsible for GnErgy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Bulb who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Goto Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Great North Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for Green Network Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Green Star Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers (formerly Gulf Gas and Power). Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

If you would like a smart meter installed, please get in touch with Homeshift using the contact number on your latest energy bill.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Hub Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Igloo Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Iresa customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for iSupply Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that OVO Energy is now responsible for Lumo customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for MoneyPlus Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Nabuh Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Neon Reef Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON is now responsible for Npower Select customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Npower Select customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita are responsible for Omni Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you to Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We beleive that Scottish Power is now responsible for Orbit Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with Scottish Power who will be responsible with taking your request forward.

We believe that Utilita is now responsible for Our Power customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Utilita who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for People's Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for PFP Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON Next is now responsible for Powershop customers. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON Next who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy is now responsible for Pure Planet customers. Therefore we will connect you with Shell Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Qwest Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Ram Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Rebel Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Robin Hood Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

You can continue your smart meter journey at your supplier's website. They will take your request forward.

Scottish Gas have told us that British Gas is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Scottish Hydro have told us that SSE is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy is now responsible for Shell Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward. If you are a former Shell customer and haven't seen an email from Octopus, please get in touch with them.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Simplicity Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that SSE is now responsible for Spark Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Southend Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Nabuh Energy is now responsible for Snowdrop Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Nabuh Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Social Energy customers. Therefore we will connect you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.

We believe that EDF are responsible for Solarplicity customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that OVO energy are responsible for SSE customers. Therefore we are connecting you with OVO who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Swalec have told us that SSE is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we are connecting you with SSE who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

Symbio Energy have told us that E.ON NEXT is responsible for providing smart meters on their behalf. Therefore we will connect you with E.ON NEXT who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for The Leccy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas are responsible for Together Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Scottish Power is now responsible for Tonik Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy are responsible for Toto Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Octopus Energy are responsible for UKEIH customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Octopus Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that Shell Energy Retail is now responsible for Usio Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Shell Energy Retail who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF Energy is now responsible for Utility Point customers. Therefore we will connect you with EDF Energy who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that E.ON are responsible for Wasp Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

White Rose Energy customers are now managed by British Gas.

We believe that E.ON are responsible for Wigan Warriors Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with E.ON who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We beleive that Scottish Power is now responsible for Yorkshire Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with Scottish Power who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Your Energy Sussex customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that British Gas is now responsible for Zebra Power customers. Therefore we are connecting you with British Gas who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We believe that EDF is now responsible for Zog Energy customers. Therefore we are connecting you with EDF who will be responsible for taking your request forward.

We don't currently have information from your energy supplier regarding their bookings for smart meters, but we will connect you to their website so you can contact them directly.